" vim global plugin that provides easy code commenting for various file types
" Last Change:  30 june 2007
" Maintainer:   Martin Grenfell <martin_grenfell at msn.com>
let s:NERD_commenter_version = 2.0.7

" For help documentation type :help NERDCommenter. If this fails, Restart vim
" and try again. If it sill doesnt work... the help page is at the bottom 
" of this file.

" Section: script init stuff {{{1
if exists("loaded_nerd_comments")
    finish
endif
let loaded_nerd_comments = 1

" Section: tabSpace init {{{2
" here we get a string that is the same length as a tabstop but with spaces
" instead of a tab. Also, we store the number of spaces in a tab
let s:tabSpace = ""
let s:spacesPerTab = &tabstop
while s:spacesPerTab > 0
    let s:tabSpace = s:tabSpace . " "
    let s:spacesPerTab = s:spacesPerTab - 1
endwhile
let s:spacesPerTab = &tabstop

" Section: spaces init {{{2
" Occasionally we need to grab a string of spaces so just make one here
let s:spaces = ""
while strlen(s:spaces) < 100
    let s:spaces = s:spaces . "    "
endwhile

" Function: s:InitVariable() function {{{2
" This function is used to initialise a given variable to a given value. The
" variable is only initialised if it does not exist prior
"
" Args:
"   -var: the name of the var to be initialised
"   -value: the value to initialise var to
"
" Returns:
"   1 if the var is set, 0 otherwise
function s:InitVariable(var, value)
    if !exists(a:var)
        exec 'let ' . a:var . ' = ' . "'" . a:value . "'"
        return 1
    endif
    return 0
endfunction

" Section: space string init{{{2
" When putting spaces after the left delim and before the right we use
" s:spaceStr for the space char. This way we can make it add anything after
" the left and before the right by modifying this variable
let s:spaceStr = ' '
let s:lenSpaceStr = strlen(s:spaceStr)

" Section: variable init calls {{{2
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDAllowAnyVisualDelims", 1)
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDBlockComIgnoreEmpty", 0)
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDCommentWholeLinesInVMode", 0)
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDCompactSexyComs", 0)
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDDefaultNesting", 0)
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDMenuMode", 3)
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDLPlace", "[>")
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDUsePlaceHolders", 1)
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDRemoveAltComs", 1)
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDRemoveExtraSpaces", 0)
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDRPlace", "<]")
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDShutUp", '0')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDSpaceDelims", 0)
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDDelimiterRequests", 1)

call s:InitVariable("g:NERDMapleader", ',c')

call s:InitVariable("g:NERDAltComMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'a')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDAppendComMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'A')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComAlignBothMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'b')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComAlignLeftMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'l')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComAlignRightMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'r')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComInInsertMap", '<C-c>')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComLineInvertMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'i')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComLineMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'c')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComLineNestMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'n')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComLineSexyMap", g:NERDMapleader . 's')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComLineToggleMap", g:NERDMapleader . '<space>')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComLineMinimalMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'm')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComLineYankMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'y')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDComToEOLMap", g:NERDMapleader . '$')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDPrependComMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'I')
call s:InitVariable("g:NERDUncomLineMap", g:NERDMapleader . 'u')
let s:NERDFileNameEscape="[]#*$%'\" ?`!&();<>\\"

" Section: Comment mapping functions, autocommands and commands {{{1
" ============================================================================
" Section: Comment enabler autocommands {{{2
" ============================================================================

if !exists("nerd_autocmds_loaded")
    let nerd_autocmds_loaded=1

    augroup commentEnablers

        "if the user enters a buffer or reads a buffer then we gotta set up
        "the comment delimiters for that new filetype 
        autocmd BufEnter,BufRead * :call s:SetUpForNewFiletype(&filetype)
    augroup END

endif


" Function: s:SetUpForNewFiletype(filetype) function {{{2
" This function is responsible for setting up buffer scoped variables for the 
" given filetype.
"
" These variables include the comment delimiters for the given filetype and calls
" MapDelimiters or MapDelimitersWithAlternative passing in these delimiters.
"
" Args:
"   -filetype: the filetype to set delimiters for
"
function s:SetUpForNewFiletype(filetype)
    "if we have already set the delimiters for this buffer then dont go thru
    "it again
    if exists("b:left") && b:left != ''
        return
    endif

    let b:sexyComMarker = ''

    "check the filetype against all known filetypes to see if we have
    "hardcoded the comment delimiters to use 
    if a:filetype == "" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "abaqus" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('**', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "abc" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "acedb" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "ada" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('--','', '--  ', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ahdl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "amiga" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "aml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ampl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ant" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<!--','-->') 
    elseif a:filetype == "apache" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "apachestyle" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "asm68k" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "asm" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative(';', '', '#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "asn" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "aspvbs" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('''', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "atlas" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('C','$') 
    elseif a:filetype == "autohotkey" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "autoit" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "automake" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('#','', 'dnl ', '') 
    elseif a:filetype == "ave" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(''','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "awk" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "basic" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative(''','', 'REM ', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "b" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "bc" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "bdf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('COMMENT ', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "bib" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "bindzone" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "bst" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "btm" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('::', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "caos" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('*', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "catalog" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--','--') 
    elseif a:filetype == "c" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('/*','*/', '//', '') 
    elseif a:filetype == "cfg" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "cg" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "ch" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "changelog" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('','')
    elseif a:filetype == "cl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "clean" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "clipper" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "cmake"
        call s:MapDelimiters('#','')
    elseif a:filetype == "conf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "config" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('dnl ', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "context"
        call s:MapDelimiters('%','')
    elseif a:filetype == "cpp" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "crontab" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "cs" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "csc" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "csp" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "css" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "cterm" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('*', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "cupl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "csv" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('','')
    elseif a:filetype == "cvs" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('CVS:','')
    elseif a:filetype == "dcl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('$!', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "debchangelog" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "debcontrol" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "debsources" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "def" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "diff" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "django" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('<!--','-->', '{#', '#}') 
    elseif a:filetype == "docbk" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<!--', '-->')
    elseif a:filetype == "dns" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "dosbatch" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('REM ','')
    elseif a:filetype == "dosini" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "dot" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "dracula" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "dsl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "dtd" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<!--','-->') 
    elseif a:filetype == "dtml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<dtml-comment>','</dtml-comment>') 
    elseif a:filetype == "dylan" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == 'ebuild'
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ecd" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == 'eclass'
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "eiffel" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "elf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(''', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "elmfilt" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "erlang" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "eruby" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('<!--', '-->', '<%#', '%>')
    elseif a:filetype == "eterm" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "expect" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "exports" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "fetchmail" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "fgl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "focexec" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('-*', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "form" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('*', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "fortran" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('!', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "foxpro" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('*', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "fstab" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "fvwm" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "fx" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "gdb" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "gdmo" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "geek" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('GEEK_COMMENT:', '')
    elseif a:filetype == 'gentoo-package-keywords'
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == 'gentoo-package-mask' 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == 'gentoo-package-use' 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "gnuplot" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#','')
    elseif a:filetype == "gtkrc" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "haskell" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('--','', '{-', '-}') 
    elseif a:filetype == "hb" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "h" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "help" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('"','')
    elseif a:filetype == "hercules" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "hog" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "html" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('<!--','-->', '//', '') 
    elseif a:filetype == "htmldjango" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('<!--','-->', '{#', '#}') 
    elseif a:filetype == "htmlos"
        call s:MapDelimiters('#','/#') 
    elseif a:filetype == "ia64" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "icon" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "idlang" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "idl" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "indent" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "inform" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('!', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "inittab" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ishd" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "iss" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ist" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "jam" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "java" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "javascript" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "jess" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "jgraph" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('(*','*)') 
    elseif a:filetype == "jproperties" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "jproperties" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#','')
    elseif a:filetype == "jsp" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<%--', '--%>')
    elseif a:filetype == "kconfig" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "kix" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "kscript" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "lace" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "lex" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "lftp" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "lifelines" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "lilo" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "lisp" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative(';','', '#|', '|#') 
    elseif a:filetype == "lite" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "lotos" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('(*','*)') 
    elseif a:filetype == "lout" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "lprolog" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "lscript" 
        call s:MapDelimiters("'", '')
    elseif a:filetype == "lss" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "lua" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('--','', '--[[', ']]') 
    elseif a:filetype == "lynx" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "m4" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('dnl ', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "mail"
        call s:MapDelimiters('> ','')
    elseif a:filetype == "make" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "maple" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "masm" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "master" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('$', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "matlab" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "mel" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "mf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "mib" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "mma" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('(*','*)') 
    elseif a:filetype == "model"
        call s:MapDelimiters('$','$') 
    elseif a:filetype =~ "moduala." 
        call s:MapDelimiters('(*','*)') 
    elseif a:filetype == "modula2" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('(*','*)') 
    elseif a:filetype == "modula3" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('(*','*)') 
    elseif a:filetype == "monk" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "mush" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "muttrc" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "named" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "nasm" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "nastran" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('$', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "natural" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ncf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "netdict" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "netrw" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "nqc" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "nroff"
        call s:MapDelimiters('\"', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "nsis" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ocaml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('(*','*)') 
    elseif a:filetype == "occam" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "omlet" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('(*','*)') 
    elseif a:filetype == "omnimark" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "openroad" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('//', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "opl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters("REM", "")
    elseif a:filetype == "ora" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "otl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ox" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('//', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "pascal" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('{','}', '(*', '*)')
    elseif a:filetype == "passwd" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWith('','')
    elseif a:filetype == "pcap" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "pccts" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "perl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "pfmain" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('//', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "php" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','','/*', '*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "phtml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "pic" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "pike" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "pilrc" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "pine" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "plaintex"
        call s:MapDelimiters('%','')
    elseif a:filetype == "plm" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "plsql" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "po" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "postscr" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "pov" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "povini" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ppd" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ppwiz" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';;', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "procmail" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "progress" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "prolog" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('%','','/*','*/') 
    elseif a:filetype == "psf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ptcap" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "python" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "python" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "qf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "radiance" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ratpoison" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "r" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "rc" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "readline" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "rebol" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "registry" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "remind" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "rexx" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "robots" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "rpl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "rtf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "ruby" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "sa" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "samba" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative(';','', '#', '') 
    elseif a:filetype == "sas" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "sather" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "scheme" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "scilab" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('//', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "screen" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "scsh" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "sdl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "sed" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "selectbuf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "sgml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<!','>') 
    elseif a:filetype == "sgmldecl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--','--') 
    elseif a:filetype == "sgmllnx" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<!--','-->') 
    elseif a:filetype == "sicad" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('*', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "simula" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('%', '', '--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "sinda" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('$', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "skill" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "slang" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "sl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "slrnrc" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "sm" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "smarty" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('{*', '*}')
    elseif a:filetype == "smil" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<!','>') 
    elseif a:filetype == "smith" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "sml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('(*','*)') 
    elseif a:filetype == "snnsnet" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "snnspat" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "snnsres" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "snobol4" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('*', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "spec" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "specman" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('//', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "spice" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('$', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "sql" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "sqlforms" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "sqlj" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "sqr" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('!', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "squid" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "st" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('"",''')
    elseif a:filetype == "stp" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "strace" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "svn" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('','')
    elseif a:filetype == "systemverilog" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "tads" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "taglist" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "tags" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "tak" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('$', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "tasm" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "tcl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "terminfo" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "tex" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "text" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "plaintex" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "texinfo" 
        call s:MapDelimiters("@c ", "")
    elseif a:filetype == "texmf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "tf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "tidy" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "tli" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "trasys" 
        call s:MapDelimiters("$", "")
    elseif a:filetype == "tsalt" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "tsscl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "tssgm" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('comment = '',''') 
    elseif a:filetype == "uc" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "uil" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('!', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "vb" 
        call s:MapDelimiters("'","") 
    elseif a:filetype == "verilog" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "verilog_systemverilog" 
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative('//','', '/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "vgrindefs" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "vhdl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('--', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "vim" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('"','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "viminfo" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('','') 
    elseif a:filetype == "virata" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('%', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "vo_base" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "vrml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "vsejcl" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "webmacro" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('##', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "wget" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "winbatch" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "wml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype =~ "[^w]*sh" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "wvdial" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "xdefaults" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('!', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "xf86conf" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "xhtml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<!--', '-->')
    elseif a:filetype == "xkb" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('//', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "xmath" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "xml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<!--','-->') 
    elseif a:filetype == "xmodmap" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('!', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "xpm2" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('!', '')
    elseif a:filetype == "xpm" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "xslt" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('<!--','-->') 
    elseif a:filetype == "yacc" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('/*','*/')
    elseif a:filetype == "yaml" 
        call s:MapDelimiters('#','')
    elseif a:filetype == "z8a" 
        call s:MapDelimiters(';', '')

    elseif a:filetype == ""
        call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative("","", "", "") 

        "we have not hardcoded the comment delimiters to use for this filetype so
        "get them from &commentstring.
    else
        "print a disclaimer to the user :) 
        if !g:NERDShutUp
            call s:NerdEcho("Unknown filetype '".a:filetype."', setting delimiters by &commentstring.\nPleeeeease email the author of the NERD commenter with this filetype\nand its delimiters!", 0)
        endif

        "extract the delims from &commentstring 
        let left= substitute(&commentstring, '\(.*\)%s.*', '\1', '')
        let right= substitute(&commentstring, '.*%s\(.*\)', '\1', 'g')

        call s:MapDelimiters(left,right)
    endif
endfunction

" Function: s:MapDelimiters(left, right) function {{{2
" This function is a wrapper for s:MapDelimiters(left, right, leftAlt, rightAlt, useAlt) and is called when there
" is no alternative comment delimiters for the current filetype
"
" Args:
"   -left: the left comment delimiter
"   -right: the right comment delimiter
function s:MapDelimiters(left, right)
    call s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative(a:left, a:right, "", "")
endfunction

" Function: s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative(left, right, leftAlt, rightAlt) function {{{2
" this function sets up the comment delimiter buffer variables
"
" Args:
"   -left:  the string defining the comment start delimiter
"   -right: the string defining the comment end delimiter
"   -leftAlt:  the string for the alternative comment style defining the comment start delimiter
"   -rightAlt: the string for the alternative comment style defining the comment end delimiter
function s:MapDelimitersWithAlternative(left, right, leftAlt, rightAlt)
    if !exists('g:NERD_' . &filetype . '_alt_style')
        let b:left = a:left
        let b:right = a:right
        let b:leftAlt = a:leftAlt
        let b:rightAlt = a:rightAlt
    else
        let b:left = a:leftAlt
        let b:right = a:rightAlt
        let b:leftAlt = a:left
        let b:rightAlt = a:right
    endif
endfunction

" Function: s:SwitchToAlternativeDelimiters(printMsgs) function {{{2
" This function is used to swap the delimiters that are being used to the
" alternative delimiters for that filetype. For example, if a c++ file is
" being edited and // comments are being used, after this function is called
" /**/ comments will be used.
"
" Args:
"   -printMsgs: if this is 1 then a message is echoed to the user telling them
"    if this function changed the delimiters or not 
function s:SwitchToAlternativeDelimiters(printMsgs)
    "if both of the alternative delimiters are empty then there is no
    "alternative comment style so bail out 
    if (b:leftAlt=="" && b:rightAlt=="")
        if a:printMsgs 
            call s:NerdEcho("Cannot use alternative delimiters, none are specified", 0)
        endif
        return 0
    endif

    "save the current delimiters 
    let tempLeft = b:left
    let tempRight = b:right

    "swap current delimiters for alternative 
    let b:left = b:leftAlt
    let b:right = b:rightAlt

    "set the previously current delimiters to be the new alternative ones 
    let b:leftAlt = tempLeft
    let b:rightAlt = tempRight

    "tell the user what comment delimiters they are now using 
    if a:printMsgs
        let leftNoEsc = b:left
        let rightNoEsc = b:right
        call s:NerdEcho("Now using " . leftNoEsc . " " . rightNoEsc . " to delimit comments", 1)
    endif

    return 1
endfunction

" Section: Comment delimiter add/removal functions {{{1
" ============================================================================
" Function: s:AppendCommentToLine(){{{2
" This function appends comment delimiters at the EOL and places the cursor in
" position to start typing the comment
function s:AppendCommentToLine()
    let left = s:GetLeft(0,1,0)
    let right = s:GetRight(0,1,0)

    " get the len of the right delim
    let lenRight = strlen(right) 

    let isLineEmpty = strlen(getline(".")) == 0
    let insOrApp = (isLineEmpty==1 ? 'i' : 'A')

    "stick the delimiters down at the end of the line. We have to format the
    "comment with spaces as appropriate 
    execute ":normal " . insOrApp . (isLineEmpty ? '' : ' ') . left . right . " "

    " if there is a right delimiter then we gotta move the cursor left
    " by the len of the right delimiter so we insert between the delimiters
    if lenRight > 0 
        let leftMoveAmount = lenRight 
        execute ":normal " . leftMoveAmount . "h"
    endif
    startinsert
endfunction

" Function: s:CommentBlock(top, bottom, lSide, rSide, forceNested ) {{{2
" This function is used to comment out a region of code. This region is
" specified as a bounding box by arguments to the function. Note that the
" range keyword is specified for this function. This is because this function
" cannot be applied implicitly to every line specified in visual mode
"
" Args:
"   -top: the line number for the top line of code in the region
"   -bottom: the line number for the bottom line of code in the region
"   -lSide: the column number for the left most column in the region
"   -rSide: the column number for the right most column in the region
"   -forceNested: a flag indicating whether comments should be nested 
function s:CommentBlock(top, bottom, lSide, rSide, forceNested ) 
    " we need to create local copies of these arguments so we can modify them
    let top = a:top
    let bottom = a:bottom
    let lSide = a:lSide
    let rSide = a:rSide

    "if the top or bottom line starts with tabs we have to adjust the left and
    "right boundaries so that they are set as though the tabs were spaces 
    let topline = getline(top)
    let bottomline = getline(bottom)
    if topline =~ '^\t\t*'  || bottomline =~ '^\t\t*' 
        "find out how many tabs are in the top line and adjust the left
        "boundary accordingly 
        let numTabs = strlen(substitute(topline, '^\(\t*\).*$', '\1', "")) 
        if lSide < numTabs
            let lSide = s:spacesPerTab * lSide
        else
            let lSide = (lSide - numTabs) + (s:spacesPerTab * numTabs)
        endif

        "find out how many tabs are in the bottom line and adjust the right
        "boundary accordingly 
        let numTabs = strlen(substitute(bottomline, '^\(\t*\).*$', '\1', "")) 
        let rSide = (rSide - numTabs) + (s:spacesPerTab * numTabs)
    endif

    "we must check that bottom IS actually below top, if it is not then we
    "swap top and bottom. Similarly for left and right. 
    if bottom < top
        let temp = top
        let top = bottom
        let bottom = top
    endif
    if rSide < lSide
        let temp = lSide
        let lSide = rSide
        let rSide = temp
    endif

    "if the current delimiters arent multipart then we will switch to the
    "alternative delims (if THEY are) as the comment will be better and more
    "accurate with multipart delims 
    let didSwitchDelims = -1

    "if the right delim isnt empty then we can use it for this comment
    if b:right != '' || !g:NERDAllowAnyVisualDelims
        let didSwitchDelims = 0
        "if the alternative comment right delimiter isnt null then we can use the
        "alternative right delims 
    elseif b:rightAlt != ''
        let didSwitchDelims = 1
        call <sid>SwitchToAlternativeDelimiters(0)
    endif


    "get versions of left/right without the escape chars 
    let leftNoEsc = b:left
    let rightNoEsc = b:right

    "we need the len of leftNoEsc soon 
    let lenLeftNoEsc = strlen(leftNoEsc) 

    "we need the len of rightNoEsc soon 
    let lenRightNoEsc = strlen(rightNoEsc) 

    "start the commenting from the top and keep commenting till we reach the
    "bottom
    let currentLine=top
    while currentLine <= bottom

        "check if we are allowed to comment this line 
        if s:GetCanCommentLine(a:forceNested, currentLine)

            "convert the leading tabs into spaces 
            let theLine = getline(currentLine)
            let lineHasLeadTabs = s:HasLeadingTab(theLine)
            if lineHasLeadTabs
                let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine)
            endif

            "dont comment lines that begin after the right boundary of the
            "block unless the user has specified to do so
            if theLine !~ '^ \{' . rSide . '\}' || !g:NERDBlockComIgnoreEmpty

                "lineLSide and lineRSide are used as indexes into theLine. They
                "are used to point to index where the left and right
                "delimiters will be placed on the current line. The position
                "of the delimiters may be altered if the current left position
                "is in the middle of a delimiter.
                let lineLSide = lSide
                let lineRSide = rSide

                "If the left or right boundaries are inside an existing
                "delimiter then adjust lineLSide and lineRSide appropriately so
                "that they are just after/before these delimiters
                let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(lSide-1, leftNoEsc, theLine)
                if offset > 0
                    let lineLSide = lSide + lenLeftNoEsc - offset
                endif
                let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(lSide-1, rightNoEsc, theLine)
                if offset > 0
                    let lineLSide = lSide - offset
                endif

                let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(rSide, rightNoEsc, theLine)
                if offset > 0
                    let lineRSide = rSide + lenRightNoEsc - offset
                endif
                let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(rSide, leftNoEsc, theLine)
                if offset > 0
                    let lineRSide = rSide + lenLeftNoEsc - offset
                endif

                let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(lSide-1, g:NERDLPlace, theLine)
                if offset > 0
                    let lineLSide = lSide + strlen(g:NERDLPlace) - offset
                endif
                let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(lSide-1, g:NERDRPlace, theLine)
                if offset > 0
                    let lineLSide = lSide -  offset
                endif

                let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(rSide, g:NERDRPlace, theLine)
                if offset > 0
                    let lineRSide = rSide + strlen(g:NERDRPlace) - offset
                endif
                let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(rSide, g:NERDLPlace, theLine)
                if offset > 0
                    let lineRSide = rSide + strlen(g:NERDLPlace) - offset
                endif

                if b:leftAlt != ""
                    let leftANoEsc = b:leftAlt
                    let rightANoEsc = b:rightAlt
                    let lenRightANoEsc = strlen(rightANoEsc)
                    let lenLeftANoEsc = strlen(leftANoEsc)

                    let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(lSide-1, leftANoEsc, theLine)
                    if offset > 0
                        let lineLSide = lSide + lenLeftANoEsc - offset
                    endif
                    let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(lSide-1, rightANoEsc, theLine)
                    if offset > 0
                        let lineLSide = lSide - offset
                    endif

                    let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(rSide, rightANoEsc, theLine)
                    if offset > 0
                        let lineRSide = rSide + lenRightNoEsc - offset
                    endif
                    let offset = s:GetIndxInSubstr(rSide, leftANoEsc, theLine)
                    if offset > 0
                        let lineRSide = rSide + lenLeftANoEsc - offset
                    endif
                endif

                "attempt to place the cursor in on the left of the boundary box,
                "then check if we were successful, if not then we cant comment this
                "line 
                call setline(currentLine, theLine)
                call cursor(currentLine, lineLSide)
                if col(".") == lineLSide && line(".") == currentLine

                    let leftSpaced = s:GetLeft(0,1,0)
                    let rightSpaced = s:GetRight(0,1,0)

                    "stick the left delimiter down 
                    let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, lineLSide-1) . leftSpaced . strpart(theLine, lineLSide-1)

                    "attempt to go the right boundary to place the right
                    "delimiter, if we cant go to the right boundary then the
                    "comment delimiter will be placed on the EOL. 
                    if rightNoEsc != ''
                        call cursor(currentLine, lineRSide+strlen(leftSpaced))

                        "stick the right delimiter down 
                        let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, lineRSide+strlen(leftSpaced)) . rightSpaced . strpart(theLine, lineRSide+strlen(rightSpaced))

                        "get the first/last indexes of the delimiters and get
                        "the string between them and call it searchStr
                        let firstLeftDelim = s:FindDelimiterIndex(leftNoEsc, theLine)
                        let lastRightDelim = s:GetLastIndexOfDelim(rightNoEsc, theLine)

                        "if the user has placed somewhere so that
                        "NERDCommenter doesnt recognise it as a comment
                        "delimiter then dont try to use place-holders as we'd
                        "probably just screw it up more
                        if firstLeftDelim != -1 && lastRightDelim != -1
                            let searchStr = strpart(theLine, 0, lastRightDelim)
                            let searchStr = strpart(searchStr, firstLeftDelim+strlen(leftNoEsc))

                            "replace the outter most delims in searchStr with
                            "place-holders 
                            let theLineWithPlaceHolders = s:ReplaceDelims(leftNoEsc, rightNoEsc, g:NERDLPlace, g:NERDRPlace, searchStr)

                            "add the right delimiter onto the line 
                            let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, firstLeftDelim+strlen(leftNoEsc)) . theLineWithPlaceHolders . strpart(theLine, lastRightDelim)
                        endif

                    endif


                endif
            endif

            "restore tabs if needed
            if lineHasLeadTabs
                let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(theLine)
            endif

            call setline(currentLine, theLine)
        endif


        "move onto the next line 
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile

    "if we switched delims then we gotta go back to what they were before 
    if didSwitchDelims == 1
        call s:SwitchToAlternativeDelimiters(0)
    endif
endfunction

" Function: s:CommentLines(forceNested, alignLeft, alignRight, firstLine, lastLine) {{{2
" This function comments a range of lines.
"
" Args:
"   -forceNested: a flag indicating whether the called is requesting the comment
"    to be nested if need be
"   -alignRight/alignLeft: 0/1 if the comments delimiters should/shouldnt be
"    aligned left/right
"   -firstLine/lastLine: the top and bottom lines to comment
function s:CommentLines(forceNested, alignLeft, alignRight, firstLine, lastLine) 
    " we need to get the left and right indexes of the leftmost char in the
    " block of of lines and the right most char so that we can do alignment of
    " the delimiters if the user has specified
    let leftAlignIndx = s:GetLeftMostIndx(a:forceNested, 0, a:firstLine, a:lastLine)
    let rightAlignIndx = s:GetRightMostIndx(a:forceNested, 0, a:firstLine, a:lastLine)

    " gotta add the length of the left delimiter onto the rightAlignIndx cos
    " we'll be adding a left delim to the line
    let rightAlignIndx = rightAlignIndx + strlen(s:GetLeft(0,1,0))

    " now we actually comment the lines. Do it line by line 
    let currentLine = a:firstLine
    while currentLine <= a:lastLine

        " get the next line, check commentability and convert spaces to tabs 
        let theLine = getline(currentLine)
        let lineHasLeadingTabs = s:HasLeadingTab(theLine)
        let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine)
        if s:GetCanCommentLine(a:forceNested, currentLine) 
            "if the user has specified forceNesting then we check to see if we
            "need to switch delimiters for place-holders
            if a:forceNested && g:NERDUsePlaceHolders
                let theLine = s:SwapOutterMultiPartDelimsForPlaceHolders(theLine)
            endif

            " find out if the line is commented using normal delims and/or
            " alternate ones 
            let isCommented = s:IsCommented(b:left, b:right, theLine) || s:IsCommented(b:leftAlt, b:rightAlt, theLine)

            " check if we can comment this line 
            if !isCommented || g:NERDUsePlaceHolders || b:right==""
                if a:alignLeft
                    let theLine = s:AddLeftDelimAligned(b:left, theLine, leftAlignIndx)
                else
                    let theLine = s:AddLeftDelim(s:GetLeft(0,1,0), theLine)
                endif
                if a:alignRight
                    let theLine = s:AddRightDelimAligned(b:right, theLine, rightAlignIndx)
                else
                    let theLine = s:AddRightDelim(s:GetRight(0,1,0), theLine)
                endif
            endif
        endif

        " restore leading tabs if appropriate 
        if lineHasLeadingTabs
            let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(theLine)
        endif

        " we are done with this line 
        call setline(currentLine, theLine)
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile

endfunction

" Function: s:CommentLinesMinimal(firstLine, lastLine) {{{2
" This function comments a range of lines in a minimal style. I
"
" Args:
"   -firstLine/lastLine: the top and bottom lines to comment
function s:CommentLinesMinimal(firstLine, lastLine) 
    "check that minimal comments can be done on this filetype 
    if b:right == '' && b:rightAlt == ''
        throw 'NERDCommenter.Delimiters exception: Minimal comments can only be used for filetypes that have multipart delimiters'
    endif

    "if we need to use place holders for the comment, make sure they are
    "enabled for this filetype 
    if !g:NERDUsePlaceHolders && s:DoesBlockHaveMultipartDelim(a:firstLine, a:lastLine)
        throw 'NERDCommenter.Settings exception: Placeoholders are required but disabled.'
    endif

    "get the left and right delims to smack on 
    let left = s:GetSexyComLeft(g:NERDSpaceDelims,0)
    let right = s:GetSexyComRight(g:NERDSpaceDelims,0)

    "make sure all multipart delims on the lines are replaced with
    "placeholders to prevent illegal syntax 
    let currentLine = a:firstLine
    while(currentLine <= a:lastLine)
        let theLine = getline(currentLine)
        let theLine = s:ReplaceDelims(left, right, g:NERDLPlace, g:NERDRPlace, theLine)
        call setline(currentLine, theLine)
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile

    "add the delim to the top line 
    let theLine = getline(a:firstLine)
    let lineHasLeadingTabs = s:HasLeadingTab(theLine)
    let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine)
    let theLine = s:AddLeftDelim(left, theLine)
    if lineHasLeadingTabs
        let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(theLine)
    endif
    call setline(a:firstLine, theLine)

    "add the delim to the bottom line 
    let theLine = getline(a:lastLine)
    let lineHasLeadingTabs = s:HasLeadingTab(theLine)
    let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine)
    let theLine = s:AddRightDelim(right, theLine)
    if lineHasLeadingTabs
        let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(theLine)
    endif
    call setline(a:lastLine, theLine)
endfunction

" Function: s:CommentLinesSexy(topline, bottomline) function {{{2
" This function is used to comment lines in the 'Sexy' style. eg in c:
" /*
"  * This is a sexy comment
"  */
" Args:
"   -topline: the line num of the top line in the sexy comment
"   -bottomline: the line num of the bottom line in the sexy comment
function s:CommentLinesSexy(topline, bottomline)
    let left = s:GetSexyComLeft(0, 0)
    let right = s:GetSexyComRight(0, 0)

    "check if we can do a sexy comment with the available delimiters 
    if left == -1 || right == -1
        throw 'NERDCommenter.Delimiters exception: cannot perform sexy comments with available delimiters.'
    endif

    "make sure the lines arent already commented sexually
    if !s:GetCanSexyCommentLines(a:topline, a:bottomline)
        throw 'NERDCommenter.Nesting exception: cannot nest sexy comments'
    endif


    let sexyComMarker = s:GetSexyComMarker(0,0)
    let sexyComMarkerSpaced = s:GetSexyComMarker(1,0)


    " we jam the comment as far to the right as possible 
    let leftAlignIndx = s:GetLeftMostIndx(1, 1, a:topline, a:bottomline)

    "check if we should use the compact style i.e that the left/right
    "delimiters should appear on the first and last lines of the code and not
    "on separate lines above/below the first/last lines of code
    if g:NERDCompactSexyComs
        let spaceString = (g:NERDSpaceDelims ? s:spaceStr : '')

        "comment the top line 
        let theLine = getline(a:topline)
        let lineHasTabs = s:HasLeadingTab(theLine)
        if lineHasTabs
            let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine)
        endif
        let theLine = s:SwapOutterMultiPartDelimsForPlaceHolders(theLine)
        let theLine = s:AddLeftDelimAligned(left . spaceString, theLine, leftAlignIndx)
        if lineHasTabs
            let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(theLine)
        endif
        call setline(a:topline, theLine)

        "comment the bottom line 
        let theLine = getline(a:bottomline)
        let lineHasTabs = s:HasLeadingTab(theLine)
        if lineHasTabs
            let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine)
        endif
        let theLine = s:SwapOutterMultiPartDelimsForPlaceHolders(theLine)
        let theLine = s:AddRightDelim(spaceString . right, theLine)
        if lineHasTabs
            let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(theLine)
        endif
        call setline(a:bottomline, theLine)
    else

        " add the left delimiter one line above the lines that are to be commented 
        call cursor(a:topline, 1) 
        execute 'normal! O'
        call setline(a:topline, strpart(s:spaces, 0, leftAlignIndx) . left )

        " add the right delimiter after bottom line (we have to add 1 cos we moved
        " the lines down when we added the left delim
        call cursor(a:bottomline+1, 1) 
        execute 'normal! o'
        call setline(a:bottomline+2, strpart(s:spaces, 0, leftAlignIndx) . strpart(s:spaces, 0, strlen(left)-strlen(sexyComMarker)) . right )

    endif

    " go thru each line adding the sexyComMarker marker to the start of each
    " line in the appropriate place to align them with the comment delims
    let currentLine = a:topline+1
    while currentLine <= a:bottomline + !g:NERDCompactSexyComs
        " get the line and convert the tabs to spaces 
        let theLine = getline(currentLine)
        let lineHasTabs = s:HasLeadingTab(theLine)
        if lineHasTabs
            let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine)
        endif

        let theLine = s:SwapOutterMultiPartDelimsForPlaceHolders(theLine)

        " add the sexyComMarker 
        let theLine = strpart(s:spaces, 0, leftAlignIndx) . strpart(s:spaces, 0, strlen(left)-strlen(sexyComMarker)) . sexyComMarkerSpaced . strpart(theLine, leftAlignIndx)

        if lineHasTabs
            let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(theLine)
        endif


        " set the line and move onto the next one 
        call setline(currentLine, theLine)
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile

endfunction

" Function: s:CommentLinesToggle(forceNested, firstLine, lastLine) {{{2
" Applies "toggle" commenting to the given range of lines
"
" Args:
"   -forceNested: a flag indicating whether the called is requesting the comment
"    to be nested if need be
"   -firstLine/lastLine: the top and bottom lines to comment
function s:CommentLinesToggle(forceNested, firstLine, lastLine) 
    " now we actually comment the lines. Do it line by line 
    let currentLine = a:firstLine
    while currentLine <= a:lastLine

        " get the next line, check commentability and convert spaces to tabs 
        let theLine = getline(currentLine)
        let lineHasLeadingTabs = s:HasLeadingTab(theLine)
        let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine)
        if s:GetCanToggleCommentLine(a:forceNested, currentLine) 

            "if the user has specified forceNesting then we check to see if we
            "need to switch delimiters for place-holders
            if g:NERDUsePlaceHolders
                let theLine = s:SwapOutterMultiPartDelimsForPlaceHolders(theLine)
            endif

            let theLine = s:AddLeftDelim(s:GetLeft(0, 1, 0), theLine)
            let theLine = s:AddRightDelim(s:GetRight(0, 1, 0), theLine)
        endif

        " restore leading tabs if appropriate 
        if lineHasLeadingTabs
            let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(theLine)
        endif

        " we are done with this line 
        call setline(currentLine, theLine)
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile

endfunction

" Function: s:CommentRegion(topline, topCol, bottomLine, bottomCol) function {{{2
" This function is designed to comment chunks of text selected in visual mode.
" It will comment exactly the text that they have selected.
" Args:
"   -topLine: the line num of the top line in the sexy comment
"   -topCol: top left col for this comment
"   -bottomline: the line num of the bottom line in the sexy comment
"   -bottomCol: the bottom right col for this comment
"   -forceNested: whether the caller wants comments to be nested if the
"    line(s) are already commented
function s:CommentRegion(topLine, topCol, bottomLine, bottomCol, forceNested) 
    "we may need to switch to the alt delims if the current ones arent
    "multi-part.
    let didSwitchDelims = -1

    "if the right delim isnt empty then we can use it for this comment
    if b:right != '' || !g:NERDAllowAnyVisualDelims
        let didSwitchDelims = 0
        "if the alternative comment right delimiter isnt null then we can use the
        "alternative right delims 
    elseif b:rightAlt != ''
        let didSwitchDelims = 1
        call <sid>SwitchToAlternativeDelimiters(0)
    endif

    "if there is only one line in the comment then just do it 
    if a:topLine == a:bottomLine
        call s:CommentBlock(a:topLine, a:bottomLine, a:topCol, a:bottomCol, a:forceNested)

    "there are multiple lines in the comment 
    else
        "comment the top line
        call s:CommentBlock(a:topLine, a:topLine, a:topCol, strlen(getline(a:topLine)), a:forceNested)
        "comment out all the lines in the middle of the comment 
        let topOfRange = a:topLine+1
        let bottomOfRange = a:bottomLine-1
        if topOfRange <= bottomOfRange
            call s:CommentLines(a:forceNested, 0, 0, topOfRange, bottomOfRange)
        endif

        "comment the bottom line 
        let bottom = getline(a:bottomLine)
        let numLeadingSpacesTabs = strlen(substitute(bottom, '^\([ \t]*\).*$', '\1', ''))
        call s:CommentBlock(a:bottomLine, a:bottomLine, numLeadingSpacesTabs+1, a:bottomCol, a:forceNested)

    endif

    "stick the cursor back on the char it was on before the comment
    call cursor(a:topLine, a:topCol + strlen(b:left) + g:NERDSpaceDelims)

    "if we switched delims then we gotta go back to what they were before 
    if didSwitchDelims == 1
        call s:SwitchToAlternativeDelimiters(0)
    endif


endfunction


" Function: s:InvertComment(firstLine, lastLine) function {{{2
" Inverts the comments on the lines between and including the given line
" numbers i.e all commented lines are uncommented and vice versa
" Args:
"   -firstLine: the top of the range of lines to be inverted
"   -lastLine: the bottom of the range of lines to be inverted
function s:InvertComment(firstLine, lastLine) 

    " go thru all lines in the given range 
    let currentLine = a:firstLine
    while currentLine <= a:lastLine
        let theLine = getline(currentLine)

        let sexyComBounds = s:FindBoundingLinesOfSexyCom(currentLine) 

        " if the line is commented normally, uncomment it 
        if s:IsCommentedFromStartOfLine(b:left, theLine) || s:IsCommentedFromStartOfLine(b:leftAlt, theLine)
            call s:UncommentLines(1, currentLine, currentLine)
            let currentLine = currentLine + 1

        " check if the line is commented sexually 
        elseif sexyComBounds != -1
            let topBound = substitute(sexyComBounds, '\(.*\),.*', '\1', '')
            let bottomBound = substitute(sexyComBounds, '.*,\(.*\)', '\1', '')
            let numLinesBeforeSexyComRemoved = s:GetNumLinesInBuf()
            call s:UncommentLinesSexy(topBound, bottomBound)

            "move to the line after last line of the sexy comment
            let numLinesAfterSexyComRemoved = s:GetNumLinesInBuf()
            let currentLine = bottomBound - (numLinesBeforeSexyComRemoved - numLinesAfterSexyComRemoved) + 1

        " the line isnt commented 
        else
            call s:CommentLinesToggle(1, currentLine, currentLine)
            let currentLine = currentLine + 1
        endif

    endwhile
endfunction

" Function: NERDComment(isVisual, alignLeft, alignRight, type) function {{{2
" This function is a Wrapper for the main commenting functions
"
" Args:
"   -isVisual: a flag indicating whether the comment is requested in visual
"    mode or not
"   -type: the type of commenting requested. Can be 'sexy', 'invert',
"    'minimal', 'toggle', 'alignLeft', 'alignRight', 'alignBoth', 'norm',
"    'nested', 'toEOL', 'prepend', 'append', 'insert', 'uncomment'
function! NERDComment(isVisual, type) 
    " we want case sensitivity when commenting 
    let prevIgnoreCase = &ignorecase
    set noignorecase

    if a:isVisual
        let firstLine = line("'<")
        let lastLine = line("'>")
        let firstCol = col("'<")
        let lastCol = col("'>")
    else
        let firstLine = line(".")
        let lastLine = firstLine
    endif

    let forceNested = (a:type == 'nested' || g:NERDDefaultNesting)

    if a:type == 'norm' || a:type == 'nested'
        if a:isVisual && visualmode() == ""
            call s:CommentBlock(firstLine, lastLine, firstCol, lastCol, forceNested)
        elseif a:isVisual && visualmode() == "v" && (g:NERDCommentWholeLinesInVMode==0 || (g:NERDCommentWholeLinesInVMode==2 && s:HasMultipartDelims()))
            call s:CommentRegion(firstLine, firstCol, lastLine, lastCol, forceNested)
        else
            call s:CommentLines(forceNested, 0, 0, firstLine, lastLine)
        endif

    elseif a:type == 'alignLeft' || a:type == 'alignRight' || a:type == 'alignBoth'
        let alignLeft = (a:type == 'alignLeft' || a:type == 'alignBoth')
        let alignRight = (a:type == 'alignRight' || a:type == 'alignBoth')
        call s:CommentLines(forceNested, alignLeft, alignRight, firstLine, lastLine)

    elseif a:type == 'invert'
        call s:InvertComment(firstLine, lastLine)

    elseif a:type == 'sexy'
        try
            call s:CommentLinesSexy(firstLine, lastLine)
        catch /NERDCommenter.Delimiters/
            call s:NerdEcho("Sexy comments cannot be done with the available delimiters", 0)
        catch /NERDCommenter.Nesting/
            call s:NerdEcho("Sexy comment aborted. Nested sexy cannot be nested", 0)
        endtry

    elseif a:type == 'toggle'
        let theLine = getline(firstLine)

        if s:FindBoundingLinesOfSexyCom(firstLine)!=-1 || s:IsCommentedFromStartOfLine(b:left, theLine) || s:IsCommentedFromStartOfLine(b:leftAlt, theLine)
            call s:UncommentLines(1, firstLine, lastLine)
        else
            call s:CommentLinesToggle(forceNested, firstLine, lastLine)
        endif

    elseif a:type == 'minimal'
        try
            call s:CommentLinesMinimal(firstLine, lastLine)
        catch /NERDCommenter.Delimiters/
            call s:NerdEcho("Minimal comments can only be used for filetypes that have multipart delimiters.", 0)
        catch /NERDCommenter.Settings/
            call s:NerdEcho("Place holders are required but disabled.", 0)
        endtry

    elseif a:type == 'toEOL'
        call s:SaveScreenState()
        call s:CommentBlock(firstLine, firstLine, col("."), col("$")-1, 1)
        call s:RestoreScreenState()

    elseif a:type == 'prepend'
        call s:PrependCommentToLine()

    elseif a:type == 'append'
        call s:AppendCommentToLine()

    elseif a:type == 'insert'
        call s:PlaceDelimitersAndInsBetween()

    elseif a:type == 'uncomment'
        call s:UncommentLines(0, firstLine, lastLine)
    endif

    let &ignorecase = prevIgnoreCase
endfunction

" Function: s:PlaceDelimitersAndInsBetween() function {{{2
" This is function is called to place comment delimiters down and place the
" cursor between them
function s:PlaceDelimitersAndInsBetween()
    " get the left and right delimiters without any escape chars in them 
    let left = s:GetLeft(0, 1, 0)
    let right = s:GetRight(0, 1, 0)

    let theLine = getline(".")
    let lineHasLeadTabs = s:HasLeadingTab(theLine) || (theLine =~ '^ *$' && !&expandtab)

    "convert tabs to spaces and adjust the cursors column to take this into
    "account
    let untabbedCol = s:GetUntabbedCol(theLine, col("."))
    call setline(line("."), s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine))
    call cursor(line("."), untabbedCol)

    " get the len of the right delim
    let lenRight = strlen(right) 

    let isDelimOnEOL = col(".") >= strlen(getline("."))

    " if the cursor is in the first col then we gotta insert rather than
    " append the comment delimiters here  
    let insOrApp = (col(".")==1 ? 'i' : 'a')

    " place the delimiters down. We do it differently depending on whether
    " there is a left AND right delimiter 
    if lenRight > 0 
        execute ":normal " . insOrApp . left . right 
        execute ":normal " . lenRight . "h"
    else
        execute ":normal " . insOrApp . left 

        " if we are tacking the delim on the EOL then we gotta add a space
        " after it cos when we go out of insert mode the cursor will move back
        " one and the user wont be in position to type the comment.
        if isDelimOnEOL
            execute 'normal a '
        endif
    endif
    normal l

    "if needed convert spaces back to tabs and adjust the cursors col
    "accordingly 
    if lineHasLeadTabs
        let tabbedCol = s:GetTabbedCol(getline("."), col("."))
        call setline(line("."), s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(getline(".")))
        call cursor(line("."), tabbedCol)
    endif

    startinsert
endfunction

" Function: s:PrependCommentToLine(){{{2
" This function prepends comment delimiters to the start of line and places
" the cursor in position to start typing the comment
function s:PrependCommentToLine()
    " get the left and right delimiters without any escape chars in them 
    let left = s:GetLeft(0, 1, 0)
    let right = s:GetRight(0, 1, 0)

    " get the len of the right delim
    let lenRight = strlen(right) 


    "if the line is empty then we need to know about this later on
    let isLineEmpty = strlen(getline(".")) == 0

    "stick the delimiters down at the start of the line. We have to format the
    "comment with spaces as appropriate 
    if lenRight > 0
        execute ":normal I" . left . right 
    else
        execute ":normal I" . left 
    endif

    " if there is a right delimiter then we gotta move the cursor left
    " by the len of the right delimiter so we insert between the delimiters
    if lenRight > 0 
        let leftMoveAmount = lenRight
        execute ":normal " . leftMoveAmount . "h"
    endif
    normal l

    "if the line was empty then we gotta add an extra space on the end because
    "the cursor will move back one more at the end of the last "execute"
    "command
    if isLineEmpty && lenRight == 0
        execute ":normal a "
    endif

    startinsert
endfunction
" Function: s:RemoveDelimiters(left, right, line) {{{2
" this function is called to remove the first left comment delimiter and the
" last right delimiter of the given line. 
"
" The args left and right must be strings. If there is no right delimiter (as
" is the case for e.g vim file comments) them the arg right should be ""
"
" Args:
"   -left: the left comment delimiter
"   -right: the right comment delimiter
"   -line: the line to remove the delimiters from
function s:RemoveDelimiters(left, right, line)

    "get the left and right delimiters without the esc chars. Also, get their
    "lengths
    let l:left = a:left
    let l:right = a:right
    let lenLeft = strlen(left)
    let lenRight = strlen(right)

    let delimsSpaced = (g:NERDSpaceDelims || g:NERDRemoveExtraSpaces)

    let line = a:line

    "look for the left delimiter, if we find it, remove it. 
    let leftIndx = s:FindDelimiterIndex(a:left, line)
    if leftIndx != -1
        let line = strpart(line, 0, leftIndx) . strpart(line, leftIndx+lenLeft)

        "if the user has specified that there is a space after the left delim
        "then check for the space and remove it if it is there
        if delimsSpaced && strpart(line, leftIndx, s:lenSpaceStr) == s:spaceStr
            let line = strpart(line, 0, leftIndx) . strpart(line, leftIndx+s:lenSpaceStr)
        endif
    endif

    "look for the right delimiter, if we find it, remove it 
    let rightIndx = s:FindDelimiterIndex(a:right, line)
    if rightIndx != -1
        let line = strpart(line, 0, rightIndx) . strpart(line, rightIndx+lenRight)

        "if the user has specified that there is a space before the right delim
        "then check for the space and remove it if it is there
        if delimsSpaced && strpart(line, rightIndx-s:lenSpaceStr, s:lenSpaceStr) == s:spaceStr && right != ''
            let line = strpart(line, 0, rightIndx-s:lenSpaceStr) . strpart(line, rightIndx)
        endif
    endif

    return line
endfunction

" Function: s:UncommentLines(onlyWholeLineComs, topLine, bottomLine) {{{2
" This function uncomments the given lines
"
" Args:
" onlyWholeLineComs: should be 1 for toggle style uncommenting
" topLine: the top line of the visual selection to uncomment
" bottomLine: the bottom line of the visual selection to uncomment
function s:UncommentLines(onlyWholeLineComs, topLine, bottomLine) 
    "make local copies of a:firstline and a:lastline and, if need be, swap
    "them around if the top line is below the bottom
    let l:firstline = a:topLine
    let l:lastline = a:bottomLine
    if firstline > lastline
        let firstline = lastline
        let lastline = a:topLine
    endif

    "go thru each line uncommenting each line removing sexy comments
    let currentLine = firstline
    while currentLine <= lastline

        "check the current line to see if it is part of a sexy comment 
        let sexyComBounds = s:FindBoundingLinesOfSexyCom(currentLine)
        if sexyComBounds != -1

            "we need to store the num lines in the buf before the comment is
            "removed so we know how many lines were removed when the sexy com
            "was removed
            let numLinesBeforeSexyComRemoved = s:GetNumLinesInBuf()

            "extract the top/bottom lines of the sexy comment and call the
            "appropriate function to remove the comment  
            let topBound = substitute(sexyComBounds, '\(.*\),.*', '\1', '')
            let bottomBound = substitute(sexyComBounds, '.*,\(.*\)', '\1', '')
            call s:UncommentLinesSexy(topBound, bottomBound)

            "move to the line after last line of the sexy comment
            let numLinesAfterSexyComRemoved = s:GetNumLinesInBuf()
            let numLinesRemoved = numLinesBeforeSexyComRemoved - numLinesAfterSexyComRemoved
            let currentLine = bottomBound - numLinesRemoved + 1
            let lastline = lastline - numLinesRemoved

        "no sexy com was detected so uncomment the line as normal 
        else
            let theLine = getline(currentLine)
            if a:onlyWholeLineComs && (s:IsCommentedFromStartOfLine(b:left, theLine) || s:IsCommentedFromStartOfLine(b:leftAlt, theLine))
                call s:UncommentLinesNormal(currentLine, currentLine)
            elseif !a:onlyWholeLineComs
                call s:UncommentLinesNormal(currentLine, currentLine)
            endif
            let currentLine = currentLine + 1
        endif
    endwhile

endfunction

" Function: s:UncommentLinesSexy(topline, bottomline) {{{2
" This function removes all the comment characters associated with the sexy
" comment spanning the given lines
" Args:
"   -topline/bottomline: the top/bottom lines of the sexy comment
function s:UncommentLinesSexy(topline, bottomline)
    let left = s:GetSexyComLeft(0,1)
    let right = s:GetSexyComRight(0,1)


    "check if it is even possible for sexy comments to exist with the
    "available delimiters 
    if left == -1 || right == -1
        throw 'NERDCommenter.Delimiters exception: cannot uncomment sexy comments with available delimiters.'
    endif

    let leftUnEsc = s:GetSexyComLeft(0,0)
    let rightUnEsc = s:GetSexyComRight(0,0)

    let sexyComMarker = s:GetSexyComMarker(0, 1)
    let sexyComMarkerUnEsc = s:GetSexyComMarker(0, 0)

    "the markerOffset is how far right we need to move the sexyComMarker to
    "line it up with the end of the left delim
    let markerOffset = strlen(leftUnEsc)-strlen(sexyComMarkerUnEsc)

    " go thru the intermediate lines of the sexy comment and remove the
    " sexy comment markers (eg the '*'s on the start of line in a c sexy
    " comment) 
    let currentLine = a:topline+1
    while currentLine < a:bottomline
        let theLine = getline(currentLine)

        " remove the sexy comment marker from the line. We also remove the
        " space after it if there is one and if appropriate options are set
        let sexyComMarkerIndx = stridx(theLine, sexyComMarkerUnEsc)
        if strpart(theLine, sexyComMarkerIndx+strlen(sexyComMarkerUnEsc), s:lenSpaceStr) == s:spaceStr  && g:NERDSpaceDelims
            let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, sexyComMarkerIndx - markerOffset) . strpart(theLine, sexyComMarkerIndx+strlen(sexyComMarkerUnEsc)+s:lenSpaceStr)
        else
            let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, sexyComMarkerIndx - markerOffset) . strpart(theLine, sexyComMarkerIndx+strlen(sexyComMarkerUnEsc))
        endif

        let theLine = s:SwapOutterPlaceHoldersForMultiPartDelims(theLine)

        " move onto the next line 
        call setline(currentLine, theLine)
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile

    " gotta make a copy of a:bottomline cos we modify the position of the
    " last line  it if we remove the topline 
    let bottomline = a:bottomline

    " get the first line so we can remove the left delim from it 
    let theLine = getline(a:topline)

    " if the first line contains only the left delim then just delete it 
    if theLine =~ '^[ \t]*' . left . '[ \t]*$' && !g:NERDCompactSexyComs
        call cursor(a:topline, 1)
        normal dd
        let bottomline = bottomline - 1

    " topline contains more than just the left delim 
    else

        " remove the delim. If there is a space after it
        " then remove this too if appropriate
        let delimIndx = stridx(theLine, leftUnEsc)
        if strpart(theLine, delimIndx+strlen(leftUnEsc), s:lenSpaceStr) == s:spaceStr && g:NERDSpaceDelims
            let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, delimIndx) . strpart(theLine, delimIndx+strlen(leftUnEsc)+s:lenSpaceStr)
        else
            let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, delimIndx) . strpart(theLine, delimIndx+strlen(leftUnEsc))
        endif
        let theLine = s:SwapOutterPlaceHoldersForMultiPartDelims(theLine)
        call setline(a:topline, theLine)
    endif

    " get the last line so we can remove the right delim
    let theLine = getline(bottomline)

    " if the bottomline contains only the right delim then just delete it 
    if theLine =~ '^[ \t]*' . right . '[ \t]*$'
        call cursor(bottomline, 1)
        normal dd

    " the last line contains more than the right delim  
    else
        " remove the right delim. If there is a space after it and
        " if the appropriate options are set then remove this too.
        let delimIndx = s:GetLastIndexOfDelim(rightUnEsc, theLine)
        if strpart(theLine, delimIndx+strlen(leftUnEsc), s:lenSpaceStr) == s:spaceStr  && g:NERDSpaceDelims
            let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, delimIndx) . strpart(theLine, delimIndx+strlen(rightUnEsc)+s:lenSpaceStr)
        else
            let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, delimIndx) . strpart(theLine, delimIndx+strlen(rightUnEsc))
        endif

        " if the last line also starts with a sexy comment marker then we
        " remove this as well
        if theLine =~ '^[ \t]*' . sexyComMarker

            " remove the sexyComMarker. If there is a space after it then
            " remove that too
            let sexyComMarkerIndx = stridx(theLine, sexyComMarkerUnEsc)
            if strpart(theLine, sexyComMarkerIndx+strlen(sexyComMarkerUnEsc), s:lenSpaceStr) == s:spaceStr  && g:NERDSpaceDelims
                let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, sexyComMarkerIndx - markerOffset ) . strpart(theLine, sexyComMarkerIndx+strlen(sexyComMarkerUnEsc)+s:lenSpaceStr)
            else
                let theLine = strpart(theLine, 0, sexyComMarkerIndx - markerOffset ) . strpart(theLine, sexyComMarkerIndx+strlen(sexyComMarkerUnEsc))
            endif
        endif

        let theLine = s:SwapOutterPlaceHoldersForMultiPartDelims(theLine)
        call setline(bottomline, theLine)
    endif
endfunction

" Function: s:UncommentLineNormal(line) {{{2
" uncomments the given line and returns the result
" Args:
"   -line: the line to uncomment
function s:UncommentLineNormal(line)
    let line = a:line

    "get the comment status on the line so we know how it is commented 
    let lineCommentStatus =  s:IsCommentedOuttermost(b:leftAlt, b:rightAlt, b:left, b:right, line) 

    "it is commented with b:left and b:right so remove these delims
    if lineCommentStatus == 1 
        let line = s:RemoveDelimiters(b:leftAlt, b:rightAlt, line)

    "it is commented with b:leftAlt and b:rightAlt so remove these delims
    elseif lineCommentStatus == 2 && g:NERDRemoveAltComs
        let line = s:RemoveDelimiters(b:left, b:right, line)

    "it is not properly commented with any delims so we check if it has
    "any random left or right delims on it and remove the outtermost ones 
    else
        "get the positions of all delim types on the line 
        let indxLeft = s:FindDelimiterIndex(b:left, line)
        let indxLeftAlt = s:FindDelimiterIndex(b:leftAlt, line)
        let indxRight = s:FindDelimiterIndex(b:right, line)
        let indxRightAlt = s:FindDelimiterIndex(b:rightAlt, line)

        "remove the outter most left comment delim 
        if indxLeft != -1 && (indxLeft < indxLeftAlt || indxLeftAlt == -1)
            let line = s:ReplaceLeftMostDelim(b:left, '', line)
        elseif indxLeftAlt != -1
            let line = s:ReplaceLeftMostDelim(b:leftAlt, '', line)
        endif

        "remove the outter most right comment delim 
        if indxRight != -1 && (indxRight < indxRightAlt || indxRightAlt == -1)
            let line = s:ReplaceRightMostDelim(b:right, '', line)
        elseif indxRightAlt != -1
            let line = s:ReplaceRightMostDelim(b:rightAlt, '', line)
        endif
    endif


    let indxLeft = s:FindDelimiterIndex(b:left, line)
    let indxLeftAlt = s:FindDelimiterIndex(b:leftAlt, line)
    let indxLeftPlace = s:FindDelimiterIndex(g:NERDLPlace, line)

    let indxRightPlace = s:FindDelimiterIndex(g:NERDRPlace, line)
    let indxRightAlt = s:FindDelimiterIndex(b:rightAlt, line)
    let indxRightPlace = s:FindDelimiterIndex(g:NERDRPlace, line)

    let right = b:right
    let left = b:left
    if b:right == ""
        let right = b:rightAlt
        let left = b:leftAlt
    endif


    "if there are place-holders on the line then we check to see if they are
    "the outtermost delimiters on the line. If so then we replace them with
    "real delimiters
    if indxLeftPlace != -1 
        if (indxLeftPlace < indxLeft || indxLeft==-1) && (indxLeftPlace < indxLeftAlt || indxLeftAlt==-1)
            let line = s:ReplaceDelims(g:NERDLPlace, g:NERDRPlace, left, right, line)
        endif
    elseif indxRightPlace != -1
        if (indxRightPlace < indxLeft || indxLeft==-1) && (indxLeftPlace < indxLeftAlt || indxLeftAlt==-1)
            let line = s:ReplaceDelims(g:NERDLPlace, g:NERDRPlace, left, right, line)
        endif

    endif


    return line
endfunction

" Function: s:UncommentLinesNormal(topline, bottomline) {{{2
" This function is called to uncomment lines that arent a sexy comment
" Args:
"   -topline/bottomline: the top/bottom line numbers of the comment
function s:UncommentLinesNormal(topline, bottomline)
    let currentLine = a:topline
    while currentLine <= a:bottomline
        let line = getline(currentLine)
        call setline(currentLine, s:UncommentLineNormal(line))
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile
endfunction


" Section: Other helper functions {{{1
" ============================================================================

" Function: s:AddLeftDelim(delim, theLine) {{{2
" Args:
function s:AddLeftDelim(delim, theLine)
    return substitute(a:theLine, '^\([ \t]*\)', '\1' . a:delim, '')
endfunction

" Function: s:AddLeftDelimAligned(delim, theLine) {{{2
" Args:
function s:AddLeftDelimAligned(delim, theLine, alignIndx)

    "if the line is not long enough then bung some extra spaces on the front
    "so we can align the delim properly 
    let theLine = a:theLine
    if strlen(theLine) < a:alignIndx
        let theLine = strpart(s:spaces, 0, a:alignIndx - strlen(theLine))
    endif

    return strpart(theLine, 0, a:alignIndx) . a:delim . strpart(theLine, a:alignIndx)
endfunction

" Function: s:AddRightDelim(delim, theLine) {{{2
" Args:
function s:AddRightDelim(delim, theLine)
    if a:delim == ''
        return a:theLine
    else
        return substitute(a:theLine, '$', a:delim, '')
    endif
endfunction

" Function: s:AddRightDelimAligned(delim, theLine, alignIndx) {{{2
" Args:
function s:AddRightDelimAligned(delim, theLine, alignIndx)
    if a:delim == ""
        return a:theLine
    else

        " when we align the right delim we are just adding spaces
        " so we get a string containing the needed spaces (it
        " could be empty)
        let extraSpaces = ''
        let extraSpaces = strpart(s:spaces, 0, a:alignIndx-strlen(a:theLine))

        " add the right delim 
        return substitute(a:theLine, '$', extraSpaces . a:delim, '')
    endif
endfunction

" Function: s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(line) {{{2
" This function takes a line and converts all leading tabs on that line into
" spaces
"
" Args:
"   -line: the line whose leading tabs will be converted
function s:ConvertLeadingSpacesToTabs(line)
    let toReturn  = a:line
    while toReturn =~ '^\t*' . s:tabSpace . '\(.*\)$'
        let toReturn = substitute(toReturn, '^\(\t*\)' . s:tabSpace . '\(.*\)$'  ,  '\1\t\2' , "")
    endwhile

    return toReturn
endfunction


" Function: s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(line) {{{2
" This function takes a line and converts all leading spaces on that line into
" tabs
"
" Args:
"   -line: the line whose leading spaces will be converted
function s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(line)
    let toReturn  = a:line
    while toReturn =~ '^\( *\)\t'
        let toReturn = substitute(toReturn, '^\( *\)\t',  '\1' . s:tabSpace , "")
    endwhile

    return toReturn
endfunction

" Function: s:CountNonESCedOccurances(str, searchstr, escChar) {{{2
" This function counts the number of substrings contained in another string.
" These substrings are only counted if they are not escaped with escChar
" Args:
"   -str: the string to look for searchstr in
"   -searchstr: the substring to search for in str
"   -escChar: the escape character which, when preceding an instance of
"    searchstr, will cause it not to be counted
function s:CountNonESCedOccurances(str, searchstr, escChar)
    "get the index of the first occurrence of searchstr
    let indx = stridx(a:str, a:searchstr)

    "if there is an instance of searchstr in str process it
    if indx != -1 
        "get the remainder of str after this instance of searchstr is removed
        let lensearchstr = strlen(a:searchstr)
        let strLeft = strpart(a:str, indx+lensearchstr)

        "if this instance of searchstr is not escaped, add one to the count
        "and recurse. If it is escaped, just recurse 
        if !s:IsEscaped(a:str, indx, a:escChar)
            return 1 + s:CountNonESCedOccurances(strLeft, a:searchstr, a:escChar)
        else
            return s:CountNonESCedOccurances(strLeft, a:searchstr, a:escChar)
        endif
    endif
endfunction
" Function: s:DoesBlockHaveDelim(delim, top, bottom) {{{2
" Returns 1 if the given block of lines has a delimiter (a:delim) in it
" Args:
"   -delim: the comment delimiter to check the block for
"   -top: the top line number of the block
"   -bottom: the bottom line number of the block
function s:DoesBlockHaveDelim(delim, top, bottom)
    let currentLine = a:top
    while currentLine < a:bottom
        let theline = getline(currentLine)
        if s:FindDelimiterIndex(a:delim, theline) != -1
            return 1
        endif
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile
    return 0
endfunction

" Function: s:DoesBlockHaveMultipartDelim(top, bottom) {{{2
" Returns 1 if the given block has a >= 1 multipart delimiter in it
" Args:
"   -top: the top line number of the block
"   -bottom: the bottom line number of the block
function s:DoesBlockHaveMultipartDelim(top, bottom)
    if s:HasMultipartDelims()
        if b:right != ''
            return s:DoesBlockHaveDelim(b:left, a:top, a:bottom) || s:DoesBlockHaveDelim(b:right, a:top, a:bottom)
        else
            return s:DoesBlockHaveDelim(b:leftAlt, a:top, a:bottom) || s:DoesBlockHaveDelim(b:rightAlt, a:top, a:bottom)
        endif
    endif
    return 0
endfunction


" Function: s:Esc(str) {{{2
" Escapes all the tricky chars in the given string
function s:Esc(str)
    let charsToEsc = '*/\."&$+'
    return escape(a:str, charsToEsc)
endfunction

" Function: s:FindDelimiterIndex(delimiter, line) {{{2
" This function is used to get the string index of the input comment delimiter
" on the input line. If no valid comment delimiter is found in the line then
" -1 is returned
" Args:
"   -delimiter: the delimiter we are looking to find the index of
"   -line: the line we are looking for delimiter on
function s:FindDelimiterIndex(delimiter, line)

    "make sure the delimiter isnt empty otherwise we go into an infinite loop.
    if a:delimiter == ""
        return -1
    endif


    let l:delimiter = a:delimiter
    let lenDel = strlen(l:delimiter)

    "get the index of the first occurrence of the delimiter 
    let delIndx = stridx(a:line, l:delimiter)

    "keep looping thru the line till we either find a real comment delimiter
    "or run off the EOL 
    while delIndx != -1

        "if we are not off the EOL get the str before the possible delimiter
        "in question and check if it really is a delimiter. If it is, return
        "its position 
        if delIndx != -1
            if s:IsDelimValid(l:delimiter, delIndx, a:line)
                return delIndx
            endif
        endif

        "we have not yet found a real comment delimiter so move past the
        "current one we are lookin at 
        let restOfLine = strpart(a:line, delIndx + lenDel)
        let distToNextDelim = stridx(restOfLine , l:delimiter)

        "if distToNextDelim is -1 then there is no more potential delimiters
        "on the line so set delIndx to -1. Otherwise, move along the line by
        "distToNextDelim 
        if distToNextDelim == -1
            let delIndx = -1
        else
            let delIndx = delIndx + lenDel + distToNextDelim
        endif
    endwhile

    "there is no comment delimiter on this line 
    return -1
endfunction

" Function: s:FindBoundingLinesOfSexyCom(lineNum) {{{2
" This function takes in a line number and tests whether this line number is
" the top/bottom/middle line of a sexy comment. If it is then the top/bottom
" lines of the sexy comment are returned
" Args:
"   -lineNum: the line number that is to be tested whether it is the
"    top/bottom/middle line of a sexy com
" Returns:
"   A string that has the top/bottom lines of the sexy comment encoded in it.
"   The format is 'topline,bottomline'. If a:lineNum turns out not to be the
"   top/bottom/middle of a sexy comment then -1 is returned
function s:FindBoundingLinesOfSexyCom(lineNum)

    "find which delimiters to look for as the start/end delims of the comment 
    let left = ''
    let right = ''
    if b:right != ''
        let left = s:GetLeft(0,0,1)
        let right = s:GetRight(0,0,1)
    elseif b:rightAlt != ''
        let left = s:GetLeft(1,0,1)
        let right = s:GetRight(1,0,1)
    else
        return -1
    endif

    let sexyComMarker = s:GetSexyComMarker(0, 1)

    "initialise the top/bottom line numbers of the sexy comment to -1
    let top = -1
    let bottom = -1

    let currentLine = a:lineNum
    while top == -1 || bottom == -1 
        let theLine = getline(currentLine)

        "check if the current line is the top of the sexy comment
        if theLine =~ '^[ \t]*' . left && theLine !~ '.*' . right
            let top = currentLine
            let currentLine = a:lineNum

        "check if the current line is the bottom of the sexy comment
        elseif theLine =~ '^[ \t]*' . right && theLine !~ '.*' . left
            let bottom = currentLine

        "the right delimiter is on the same line as the last sexyComMarker 
        elseif theLine =~ '^[ \t]*' . sexyComMarker . '.*' . right
            let bottom = currentLine

        "we have not found the top or bottom line so we assume currentLine is an
        "intermediate line and look to prove otherwise 
        else

            "if the line doesnt start with a sexyComMarker then it is not a sexy
            "comment 
            if theLine !~ '^[ \t]*' . sexyComMarker
                return -1
            endif

        endif

        "if top is -1 then we havent found the top yet so keep looking up 
        if top == -1
            let currentLine = currentLine - 1
        "if we have found the top line then go down looking for the bottom 
        else
            let currentLine = currentLine + 1
        endif

    endwhile

    "encode the answer in a string and return it 
    return top . ',' . bottom
endfunction


" Function: s:GetCanCommentLine(forceNested, line) {{{2
"This function is used to determine whether the given line can be commented.
"It returns 1 if it can be and 0 otherwise
"
" Args:
"   -forceNested: a flag indicating whether the caller wants comments to be nested
"    if the current line is already commented
"   -lineNum: the line num of the line to check for commentability
function s:GetCanCommentLine(forceNested, lineNum)
    let theLine = getline(a:lineNum)

    " make sure we don't comment lines that are just spaces or tabs or empty.
    if theLine =~ "^[ \t]*$" 
        return 0
    endif

    "if the line is part of a sexy comment then just flag it...  
    if s:FindBoundingLinesOfSexyCom(a:lineNum) != -1
        return 0
    endif

    let isCommented = s:IsCommentedNormOrSexy(a:lineNum)

    "if the line isnt commented return true
    if !isCommented 
        return 1
    endif

    "if the line is commented but nesting is allowed then return true
    if a:forceNested && (b:right=='' || g:NERDUsePlaceHolders)
        return 1
    endif

    return 0
endfunction

" Function: s:GetCanSexyCommentLines(topline, bottomline) {{{2
" Return: 1 if the given lines can be commented sexually, 0 otherwise
function s:GetCanSexyCommentLines(topline, bottomline)
    " see if the selected regions have any sexy comments 
    let currentLine = a:topline
    while(currentLine <= a:bottomline)
        if(s:FindBoundingLinesOfSexyCom(currentLine) != -1)
            return 0
        endif
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile
    return 1
endfunction
" Function: s:GetCanToggleCommentLine(forceNested, line) {{{2
"This function is used to determine whether the given line can be toggle commented.
"It returns 1 if it can be and 0 otherwise
"
" Args:
"   -lineNum: the line num of the line to check for commentability
function s:GetCanToggleCommentLine(forceNested, lineNum)
    let theLine = getline(a:lineNum)
    if (s:IsCommentedFromStartOfLine(b:left, theLine) || s:IsCommentedFromStartOfLine(b:leftAlt, theLine)) && !a:forceNested
        return 0
    endif

    " make sure we don't comment lines that are just spaces or tabs or empty.
    if theLine =~ "^[ \t]*$" 
        return 0
    endif

    "if the line is part of a sexy comment then just flag it...  
    if s:FindBoundingLinesOfSexyCom(a:lineNum) != -1
        return 0
    endif

    return 1
endfunction

" Function: s:GetIndxInSubstr(indx, substr, str) {{{2
" This function look for an occurrence of substr that is pointed to by indx. An
" int is returned indicating how many chars into substr indx occurs. For
" example if str is "abcfoobar" and substr is "foobar" and indx is 5 then 2 is
" returned cos indx points 2 chars into substr
" 
" Args:
"   -indx: the indx to look for the occurrence of substr at
"   -substr: the substring that we will get the relative index of indx to
"   -str: the string to look in
function s:GetIndxInSubstr(indx, substr, str)
    "validate params 
    if a:substr=="" || a:str=="" || a:indx<0
        return -1
    endif

    let lenSubstr = strlen(a:substr)

    "i is used to measure the relative dist from the last occurrence of substr
    "to the next one. i2 is the absolute indx of the current instance of
    "substsr
    let i = 0 
    let i2 = 0

    "keep looping till there are no more instances of substr left
    while i != -1

        "get the indx of the next occurrence of substr 
        let i = stridx(strpart(a:str, i2), a:substr)
        let i2 = i2 + i

        "if indx lies inside this instance of substr return its relative
        "position inside the substr 
        if i != -1 && a:indx < i2+lenSubstr && a:indx >= i2
            return a:indx - i2
        endif

        "move past this instance of substr 
        let i2 = i2 + lenSubstr

    endwhile

    return -1
endfunction




" Function: s:GetLastIndexOfDelim(delim, str) {{{2
" This function takes a string and a delimiter and returns the last index of
" that delimiter in string
" Args:
"   -delim: the delimiter to look for
"   -str: the string to look for delim in
function s:GetLastIndexOfDelim(delim, str)
    let delim = a:delim
    let lenDelim = strlen(delim)

    "set index to the first occurrence of delim. If there is no occurrence then
    "bail
    let indx = s:FindDelimiterIndex(delim, a:str)
    if indx == -1
        return -1
    endif

    "keep moving to the next instance of delim in str till there is none left 
    while 1

        "search for the next delim after the previous one
        let searchStr = strpart(a:str, indx+lenDelim)
        let indx2 = s:FindDelimiterIndex(delim, searchStr)

        "if we find a delim update indx to record the position of it, if we
        "dont find another delim then indx is the last one so break out of
        "this loop 
        if indx2 != -1
            let indx = indx + indx2 + lenDelim
        else
            break
        endif
    endwhile

    return indx

endfunction

" Function: s:GetLeftMostIndx(countCommentedLines, countEmptyLines, topline, bottomline) {{{2
" This function takes in 2 line numbers and returns the index of the left most
" char (that is not a space or a tab) on all of these lines. 
" Args:
"   -countCommentedLines: 1 if lines that are commented are to be checked as
"    well. 0 otherwise
"   -countEmptyLines: 1 if empty lines are to be counted in the search
"   -topline: the top line to be checked
"   -bottomline: the bottom line to be checked
function s:GetLeftMostIndx(countCommentedLines, countEmptyLines, topline, bottomline)

    " declare the left most index as an extreme value 
    let leftMostIndx = 1000

    " go thru the block line by line updating leftMostIndx 
    let currentLine = a:topline
    while currentLine <= a:bottomline

        " get the next line and if it is allowed to be commented, or is not
        " commented, check it
        let theLine = getline(currentLine)
        if a:countEmptyLines || theLine !~ '^[ \t]*$' 
            if a:countCommentedLines || (!s:IsCommented(b:left, b:right, theLine) && !s:IsCommented(b:leftAlt, b:rightAlt, theLine))
                " convert spaces to tabs and get the number of leading spaces for
                " this line and update leftMostIndx if need be
                let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine)
                let leadSpaceOfLine = strlen( substitute(theLine, '\(^[ \t]*\).*$','\1','') ) 
                if leadSpaceOfLine < leftMostIndx
                    let leftMostIndx = leadSpaceOfLine
                endif
            endif
        endif

        " move on to the next line 
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile

    if leftMostIndx == 1000
        return 0
    else
        return leftMostIndx
    endif
endfunction

" Function: s:GetLeft(alt, space, esc) {{{2
" returns the left/left-alternative delimiter
" Args:
"   -alt: specifies whether to get left or left-alternative delim
"   -space: specifies whether the delim should be spaced or not
"    (the space string will only be added if NERDSpaceDelims is set)
"   -esc: specifies whether the tricky chars in the delim should be ESCed
function s:GetLeft(alt, space, esc)
    let delim = b:left

    if a:alt
        if b:leftAlt == ''
            return ''
        else
            let delim = b:leftAlt
        endif 
    endif
    if delim == ''
        return ''
    endif

    if a:space && g:NERDSpaceDelims
        let delim = delim . s:spaceStr
    endif

    if a:esc
        let delim = s:Esc(delim)
    endif

    return delim
endfunction

" Function: s:GetRight(alt, space, esc) {{{2
" returns the right/right-alternative delimiter
" Args:
"   -alt: specifies whether to get right or right-alternative delim
"   -space: specifies whether the delim should be spaced or not
"   (the space string will only be added if NERDSpaceDelims is set)
"   -esc: specifies whether the tricky chars in the delim should be ESCed
function s:GetRight(alt, space, esc)
    let delim = b:right

    if a:alt
        if b:rightAlt == ''
            return ''
        else
            let delim = b:rightAlt
        endif 
    endif
    if delim == ''
        return ''
    endif

    if a:space && g:NERDSpaceDelims 
        let delim = s:spaceStr . delim 
    endif

    if a:esc
        let delim = s:Esc(delim)
    endif

    return delim
endfunction


" Function: s:GetRightMostIndx(countCommentedLines, countEmptyLines, topline, bottomline) {{{2
" This function takes in 2 line numbers and returns the index of the right most
" char on all of these lines. 
" Args:
"   -countCommentedLines: 1 if lines that are commented are to be checked as
"    well. 0 otherwise
"   -countEmptyLines: 1 if empty lines are to be counted in the search
"   -topline: the top line to be checked
"   -bottomline: the bottom line to be checked
function s:GetRightMostIndx(countCommentedLines, countEmptyLines, topline, bottomline)
    let rightMostIndx = -1

    " go thru the block line by line updating rightMostIndx 
    let currentLine = a:topline
    while currentLine <= a:bottomline

        " get the next line and see if it is commentable, otherwise it doesnt
        " count
        let theLine = getline(currentLine)
        if a:countEmptyLines || theLine !~ '^[ \t]*$' 

            if a:countCommentedLines || (!s:IsCommented(b:left, b:right, theLine) && !s:IsCommented(b:leftAlt, b:rightAlt, theLine))

                " update rightMostIndx if need be 
                let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(theLine)
                let lineLen = strlen(theLine)
                if lineLen > rightMostIndx
                    let rightMostIndx = lineLen
                endif
            endif
        endif

        " move on to the next line 
        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile

    return rightMostIndx
endfunction

" Function: s:GetNumLinesInBuf() {{{2
" Returns the number of lines in the current buffer
function s:GetNumLinesInBuf()
    return line('$')
endfunction

" Function: s:GetSexyComMarker() {{{2
" Returns the sexy comment marker for the current filetype.
"
" C style sexy comments are assumed if possible. If not then the sexy comment
" marker is the last char of the delimiter pair that has both left and right
" delims and has the longest left delim
"
" Args:
"   -space: specifies whether the marker is to have a space string after it
"    (the space string will only be added if NERDSpaceDelims is set)
"   -esc: specifies whether the tricky chars in the marker are to be ESCed
function s:GetSexyComMarker(space, esc)
    let sexyComMarker = b:sexyComMarker

    "if there is no hardcoded marker then we find one 
    if sexyComMarker == ''

        "if the filetype has c style comments then use standard c sexy
        "comments 
        if s:HasCStyleComments()
            let sexyComMarker = '*'
        else
            "find a comment marker by getting the longest available left delim
            "(that has a corresponding right delim) and taking the last char
            let lenLeft = strlen(b:left)
            let lenLeftAlt = strlen(b:leftAlt)
            let left = ''
            let right = ''
            if b:right != '' && lenLeft >= lenLeftAlt
                let left = b:left
            elseif b:rightAlt != ''
                let left = b:leftAlt
            else
                return -1 
            endif

            "get the last char of left 
            let sexyComMarker = strpart(left, strlen(left)-1)
        endif
    endif

    if a:space && g:NERDSpaceDelims
        let sexyComMarker = sexyComMarker . s:spaceStr
    endif 

    if a:esc
        let sexyComMarker = s:Esc(sexyComMarker)
    endif

    return sexyComMarker
endfunction

" Function: s:GetSexyComLeft(space, esc) {{{2
" Returns the left delimiter for sexy comments for this filetype or -1 if
" there is none. C style sexy comments are used if possible
" Args:
"   -space: specifies if the delim has a space string on the end
"   (the space string will only be added if NERDSpaceDelims is set)
"   -esc: specifies whether the tricky chars in the string are ESCed
function s:GetSexyComLeft(space, esc)
    let lenLeft = strlen(b:left)
    let lenLeftAlt = strlen(b:leftAlt)
    let left = ''

    "assume c style sexy comments if possible 
    if s:HasCStyleComments()
        let left = '/*'
    else
        "grab the longest left delim that has a right 
        if b:right != '' && lenLeft >= lenLeftAlt
            let left = b:left
        elseif b:rightAlt != ''
            let left = b:leftAlt
        else
            return -1
        endif
    endif

    if a:space && g:NERDSpaceDelims
        let left = left . s:spaceStr
    endif

    if a:esc
        let left = s:Esc(left)
    endif

    return left
endfunction

" Function: s:GetSexyComRight(space, esc) {{{2
" Returns the right delimiter for sexy comments for this filetype or -1 if
" there is none. C style sexy comments are used if possible.
" Args:
"   -space: specifies if the delim has a space string on the start
"   (the space string will only be added if NERDSpaceDelims
"   is specified for the current filetype)
"   -esc: specifies whether the tricky chars in the string are ESCed
function s:GetSexyComRight(space, esc)
    let lenLeft = strlen(b:left)
    let lenLeftAlt = strlen(b:leftAlt)
    let right = ''

    "assume c style sexy comments if possible 
    if s:HasCStyleComments()
        let right = '*/'
    else
        "grab the right delim that pairs with the longest left delim 
        if b:right != '' && lenLeft >= lenLeftAlt
            let right = b:right
        elseif b:rightAlt != ''
            let right = b:rightAlt
        else
            return -1
        endif
    endif

    if a:space && g:NERDSpaceDelims
        let right = s:spaceStr . right 
    endif

    if a:esc
        let right = s:Esc(right)
    endif

    return right
endfunction

" Function: s:GetTabbedCol(line, col) {{{2
" Gets the col number for given line and existing col number. The new col
" number is the col number when all leading spaces are converted to tabs
" Args:
"   -line:the line to get the rel col for
"   -col: the abs col 
function s:GetTabbedCol(line, col)
    let lineTruncated = strpart(a:line, 0, a:col)
    let lineSpacesToTabs = substitute(lineTruncated, s:tabSpace, '\t', 'g')
    return strlen(lineSpacesToTabs)
endfunction
" Function: s:GetUntabbedCol(line, col) {{{2
" Takes a line and a col and returns the absolute column of col taking into
" account that a tab is worth 3 or 4 (or whatever) spaces.
" Args:
"   -line:the line to get the abs col for
"   -col: the col that doesnt take into account tabs
function s:GetUntabbedCol(line, col)
    let lineTruncated = strpart(a:line, 0, a:col)
    let lineTabsToSpaces = substitute(lineTruncated, '\t', s:tabSpace, 'g')
    return strlen(lineTabsToSpaces)
endfunction
" Function: s:HasMultipartDelims() {{{2
" Returns 1 iff the current filetype has at least one set of multipart delims
function s:HasMultipartDelims()
    return (b:left != '' && b:right != '') || (b:leftAlt != '' && b:rightAlt != '')
endfunction

" Function: s:HasLeadingTab(str) {{{2
" Returns 1 iff the input has >= 1 leading tab
function s:HasLeadingTab(str)
    return a:str =~ '^\t.*'
endfunction
" Function: s:HasCStyleComments() {{{2
" Returns 1 iff the current filetype has c style comment delimiters
function s:HasCStyleComments()
    return (b:left == '/*' && b:right == '*/') || (b:leftAlt == '/*' && b:rightAlt == '*/')
endfunction

" Function: s:InstallDocumentation(full_name, revision)              {{{2
"   Install help documentation.
" Arguments:
"   full_name: Full name of this vim plugin script, including path name.
"   revision:  Revision of the vim script. #version# mark in the document file
"              will be replaced with this string with 'v' prefix.
" Return:
"   1 if new document installed, 0 otherwise.
" Note: Cleaned and generalized by guo-peng Wen.
"
" Note about authorship: this function was taken from the vimspell plugin
" which can be found at http://www.vim.org/scripts/script.php?script_id=465
"
function s:InstallDocumentation(full_name, revision)
    " Name of the document path based on the system we use:
    if has("vms")
        " No chance that this script will work with
        " VMS -  to much pathname juggling here.
        return 1
    elseif (has("unix"))
        " On UNIX like system, using forward slash:
        let l:slash_char = '/'
        let l:mkdir_cmd  = ':silent !mkdir -p '
    else
        " On M$ system, use backslash. Also mkdir syntax is different.
        " This should only work on W2K and up.
        let l:slash_char = '\'
        let l:mkdir_cmd  = ':silent !mkdir '
    endif

    let l:doc_path = l:slash_char . 'doc'
    let l:doc_home = l:slash_char . '.vim' . l:slash_char . 'doc'

    " Figure out document path based on full name of this script:
    let l:vim_plugin_path = fnamemodify(a:full_name, ':h')
    let l:vim_doc_path    = fnamemodify(a:full_name, ':h:h') . l:doc_path
    if (!(filewritable(l:vim_doc_path) == 2))
        "Doc path: " . l:vim_doc_path
        call s:NerdEcho("Doc path: " . l:vim_doc_path, 0)
        execute l:mkdir_cmd . '"' . l:vim_doc_path . '"'
        if (!(filewritable(l:vim_doc_path) == 2))
            " Try a default configuration in user home:
            let l:vim_doc_path = expand("~") . l:doc_home
            if (!(filewritable(l:vim_doc_path) == 2))
                execute l:mkdir_cmd . '"' . l:vim_doc_path . '"'
                if (!(filewritable(l:vim_doc_path) == 2))
                    " Put a warning:
                    call s:NerdEcho("Unable to open documentation directory \ntype :help add-local-help for more information.", 0)
                    echo l:vim_doc_path
                    return 0
                endif
            endif
        endif
    endif

    " Exit if we have problem to access the document directory:
    if (!isdirectory(l:vim_plugin_path) || !isdirectory(l:vim_doc_path) || filewritable(l:vim_doc_path) != 2)
        return 0
    endif

    " Full name of script and documentation file:
    let l:script_name = fnamemodify(a:full_name, ':t')
    let l:doc_name    = fnamemodify(a:full_name, ':t:r') . '.txt'
    let l:plugin_file = l:vim_plugin_path . l:slash_char . l:script_name
    let l:doc_file    = l:vim_doc_path    . l:slash_char . l:doc_name

    " Bail out if document file is still up to date:
    if (filereadable(l:doc_file) && getftime(l:plugin_file) < getftime(l:doc_file))
        return 0
    endif

    " Prepare window position restoring command:
    if (strlen(@%))
        let l:go_back = 'b ' . bufnr("%")
    else
        let l:go_back = 'enew!'
    endif

    " Create a new buffer & read in the plugin file (me):
    setl nomodeline
    exe 'enew!'
    exe 'r ' . escape(l:plugin_file,s:NERDFileNameEscape)

    setl modeline
    let l:buf = bufnr("%")
    setl noswapfile modifiable

    norm zR
    norm gg

    " Delete from first line to a line starts with
    " === START_DOC
    1,/^=\{3,}\s\+START_DOC\C/ d

    " Delete from a line starts with
    " === END_DOC
    " to the end of the documents:
    /^=\{3,}\s\+END_DOC\C/,$ d

    " Remove fold marks:
    :%s/{\{3}[1-9]/    /

    " Add modeline for help doc: the modeline string is mangled intentionally
    " to avoid it be recognized by VIM:
    call append(line('$'), '')
    call append(line('$'), ' v' . 'im:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl:')

    " Replace revision:
    "exe "normal :1s/#version#/ v" . a:revision . "/\<CR>"
    exe "normal :%s/#version#/ v" . a:revision . "/\<CR>"

    " Save the help document:
    exe 'w! ' . escape(l:doc_file,s:NERDFileNameEscape)
    exe l:go_back
    exe 'bw ' . l:buf

    " Build help tags:
    exe 'helptags ' . escape(l:vim_doc_path,s:NERDFileNameEscape)

    return 1
endfunction


" Function: s:IsCommentedNormOrSexy(lineNum) {{{2
"This function is used to determine whether the given line is commented with
"either set of delimiters or if it is part of a sexy comment
"
" Args:
"   -lineNum: the line number of the line to check
function s:IsCommentedNormOrSexy(lineNum)
    let theLine = getline(a:lineNum)

    "if the line is commented normally return 1
    if s:IsCommented(b:left, b:right, theLine) || s:IsCommented(b:leftAlt, b:rightAlt, theLine)
        return 1
    endif

    "if the line is part of a sexy comment return 1 
    if s:FindBoundingLinesOfSexyCom(a:lineNum) != -1
        return 1
    endif
    return 0
endfunction

" Function: s:IsCommented(left, right, line) {{{2
"This function is used to determine whether the given line is commented with
"the given delimiters
"
" Args:
"   -line: the line that to check if commented
"   -left/right: the left and right delimiters to check for
function s:IsCommented(left, right, line)
    "if the line isnt commented return true
    if s:FindDelimiterIndex(a:left, a:line) != -1 && (s:FindDelimiterIndex(a:right, a:line) != -1 || a:right == "")
        return 1
    endif
    return 0
endfunction

" Function: s:IsCommentedFromStartOfLine(left, line) {{{2
"This function is used to determine whether the given line is commented with
"the given delimiters at the start of the line i.e the left delimiter is the
"first thing on the line (apart from spaces\tabs)
"
" Args:
"   -line: the line that to check if commented
"   -left: the left delimiter to check for
function s:IsCommentedFromStartOfLine(left, line)
    let theLine = s:ConvertLeadingTabsToSpaces(a:line)
    let numSpaces = strlen(substitute(theLine, '^\( *\).*$', '\1', ''))
    let delimIndx = s:FindDelimiterIndex(a:left, theLine)
    return delimIndx == numSpaces
endfunction

" Function: s:IsCommentedOuttermost(left, right, leftAlt, rightAlt, line) {{{2
" Finds the type of the outtermost delims on the line
"
" Args:
"   -line: the line that to check if the outtermost comments on it are
"    left/right
"   -left/right: the left and right delimiters to check for
"   -leftAlt/rightAlt: the left and right alternative delimiters to check for
"
" Returns:
"   0 if the line is not commented with either set of delims
"   1 if the line is commented with the left/right delim set
"   2 if the line is commented with the leftAlt/rightAlt delim set
function s:IsCommentedOuttermost(left, right, leftAlt, rightAlt, line)
    "get the first positions of the left delims and the last positions of the
    "right delims
    let indxLeft = s:FindDelimiterIndex(a:left, a:line)
    let indxLeftAlt = s:FindDelimiterIndex(a:leftAlt, a:line)
    let indxRight = s:GetLastIndexOfDelim(a:right, a:line)
    let indxRightAlt = s:GetLastIndexOfDelim(a:rightAlt, a:line)

    "check if the line has a left delim before a leftAlt delim 
    if (indxLeft <= indxLeftAlt || indxLeftAlt == -1) && indxLeft != -1 
        "check if the line has a right delim after any rightAlt delim
        if (indxRight > indxRightAlt && indxRight > indxLeft) || a:right == ''
            return 1
        endif

        "check if the line has a leftAlt delim before a left delim 
    elseif (indxLeftAlt <= indxLeft || indxLeft == -1) && indxLeftAlt != -1
        "check if the line has a rightAlt delim after any right delim
        if (indxRightAlt > indxRight && indxRightAlt > indxLeftAlt) || a:rightAlt == ''
            return 2
        endif
    else
        return 0
    endif

    return 0

endfunction


" Function: s:IsDelimValid(delimiter, delIndx, line) {{{2
" This function is responsible for determining whether a given instance of a
" comment delimiter is a real delimiter or not. For example, in java the
" // string is a comment delimiter but in the line:
"               System.out.println("//");
" it does not count as a comment delimiter. This function is responsible for
" distinguishing between such cases. It does so by applying a set of
" heuristics that are not fool proof but should work most of the time.
"
" Args:
"   -delimiter: the delimiter we are validating
"   -delIndx: the position of delimiter in line
"   -line: the line that delimiter occurs in
"
" Returns:
" 0 if the given delimiter is not a real delimiter (as far as we can tell) , 
" 1 otherwise
function s:IsDelimValid(delimiter, delIndx, line)
    "get the delimiter without the escchars 
    let l:delimiter = a:delimiter

    "get the strings before and after the delimiter 
    let preComStr = strpart(a:line, 0, a:delIndx)
    let postComStr = strpart(a:line, a:delIndx+strlen(delimiter))

    "to check if the delimiter is real, make sure it isnt preceded by
    "an odd number of quotes and followed by the same (which would indicate
    "that it is part of a string and therefore is not a comment)
    if !s:IsNumEven(s:CountNonESCedOccurances(preComStr, '"', "\\")) && !s:IsNumEven(s:CountNonESCedOccurances(postComStr, '"', "\\")) 
        return 0
    endif
    if !s:IsNumEven(s:CountNonESCedOccurances(preComStr, "'", "\\")) && !s:IsNumEven(s:CountNonESCedOccurances(postComStr, "'", "\\")) 
        return 0
    endif
    if !s:IsNumEven(s:CountNonESCedOccurances(preComStr, "`", "\\")) && !s:IsNumEven(s:CountNonESCedOccurances(postComStr, "`", "\\")) 
        return 0
    endif


    "if the comment delimiter is escaped, assume it isnt a real delimiter 
    if s:IsEscaped(a:line, a:delIndx, "\\")
        return 0
    endif

    "vim comments are so fuckin stupid!! Why the hell do they have comment
    "delimiters that are used elsewhere in the syntax?!?! We need to check
    "some conditions especially for vim 
    if &filetype == "vim"
        if !s:IsNumEven(s:CountNonESCedOccurances(preComStr, '"', "\\"))
            return 0
        endif

        "if the delimiter is on the very first char of the line or is the
        "first non-tab/space char on the line then it is a valid comment delimiter 
        if a:delIndx == 0 || a:line =~ "^[ \t]\\{" . a:delIndx . "\\}\".*$"
            return 1
        endif

        let numLeftParen =s:CountNonESCedOccurances(preComStr, "(", "\\") 
        let numRightParen =s:CountNonESCedOccurances(preComStr, ")", "\\") 

        "if the quote is inside brackets then assume it isnt a comment 
        if numLeftParen > numRightParen
            return 0
        endif

        "if the line has an even num of unescaped "'s then we can assume that
        "any given " is not a comment delimiter
        if s:IsNumEven(s:CountNonESCedOccurances(a:line, "\"", "\\"))
            return 0
        endif
    endif

    return 1

endfunction

" Function: s:IsNumEven(num) {{{2
" A small function the returns 1 if the input number is even and 0 otherwise
" Args:
"   -num: the number to check
function s:IsNumEven(num)
    return (a:num % 2) == 0
endfunction

" Function: s:IsEscaped(str, indx, escChar) {{{2
" This function takes a string, an index into that string and an esc char and
" returns 1 if the char at the index is escaped (i.e if it is preceded by an
" odd number of esc chars)
" Args:
"   -str: the string to check
"   -indx: the index into str that we want to check
"   -escChar: the escape char the char at indx may be ESCed with
function s:IsEscaped(str, indx, escChar)
    "initialise numEscChars to 0 and look at the char before indx 
    let numEscChars = 0
    let curIndx = a:indx-1

    "keep going back thru str until we either reach the start of the str or
    "run out of esc chars 
    while curIndx >= 0 && strpart(a:str, curIndx, 1) == a:escChar

        "we have found another esc char so add one to the count and move left
        "one char
        let numEscChars  = numEscChars + 1
        let curIndx = curIndx - 1

    endwhile

    "if there is an odd num of esc chars directly before the char at indx then
    "the char at indx is escaped
    return !s:IsNumEven(numEscChars)
endfunction

" Function: s:IsSexyComment(topline, bottomline) {{{2
" This function takes in 2 line numbers and returns 1 if the lines between and
" including the given line numbers are a sexy comment. It returns 0 otherwise.
" Args:
"   -topline: the line that the possible sexy comment starts on
"   -bottomline: the line that the possible sexy comment stops on
function s:IsSexyComment(topline, bottomline)

    "get the delim set that would be used for a sexy comment 
    let left = ''
    let right = ''
    if b:right != ''
        let left = b:left
        let right = b:right
    elseif b:rightAlt != ''
        let left = b:leftAlt
        let right = b:rightAlt
    else
        return 0
    endif

    "swap the top and bottom line numbers around if need be  
    let topline = a:topline
    let bottomline = a:bottomline
    if bottomline < topline 
        topline = bottomline
        bottomline = a:topline
    endif

    "if there is < 2 lines in the comment it cannot be sexy 
    if (bottomline - topline) <= 0
        return 0
    endif

    "if the top line doesnt begin with a left delim then the comment isnt sexy 
    if getline(a:topline) !~ '^[ \t]*' . left
        return 0
    endif

    "if there is a right delim on the top line then this isnt a sexy comment 
    if s:FindDelimiterIndex(right, getline(a:topline)) != -1
        return 0
    endif

    "if there is a left delim on the bottom line then this isnt a sexy comment 
    if s:FindDelimiterIndex(left, getline(a:bottomline)) != -1
        return 0
    endif

    "if the bottom line doesnt begin with a right delim then the comment isnt
    "sexy 
    if getline(a:bottomline) !~ '^.*' . right . '$'
        return 0
    endif

    let sexyComMarker = s:GetSexyComMarker(0, 1)

    "check each of the intermediate lines to make sure they start with a
    "sexyComMarker 
    let currentLine = a:topline+1
    while currentLine < a:bottomline
        let theLine = getline(currentLine)

        if theLine !~ '^[ \t]*' . sexyComMarker 
            return 0
        endif

        "if there is a right delim in an intermediate line then the block isnt
        "a sexy comment
        if s:FindDelimiterIndex(right, theLine) != -1
            return 0
        endif

        let currentLine = currentLine + 1
    endwhile

    "we have not found anything to suggest that this isnt a sexy comment so
    return 1

endfunction

" Function: s:NerdEcho(msg, typeOfMsg) {{{2
" Args:
"   -msg: the message to echo
"   -typeOfMsg: 0 = warning message
"               1 = normal message
function s:NerdEcho(msg, typeOfMsg)
    if a:typeOfMsg == 0
        echohl WarningMsg
        echo 'NERDCommenter:' . a:msg
        echohl None
    elseif a:typeOfMsg == 1
        echo 'NERDCommenter:' . a:msg
    endif
endfunction

" Function: s:ReplaceDelims(toReplace1, toReplace2, replacor1, replacor2, str) {{{2
" This function takes in a string, 2 delimiters in that string and 2 strings
" to replace these delimiters with.
" 
" Args:
"   -toReplace1: the first delimiter to replace
"   -toReplace2: the second delimiter to replace
"   -replacor1: the string to replace toReplace1 with
"   -replacor2: the string to replace toReplace2 with
"   -str: the string that the delimiters to be replaced are in
function s:ReplaceDelims(toReplace1, toReplace2, replacor1, replacor2, str)
    let line = s:ReplaceLeftMostDelim(a:toReplace1, a:replacor1, a:str)
    let line = s:ReplaceRightMostDelim(a:toReplace2, a:replacor2, line)
    return line
endfunction

" Function: s:ReplaceLeftMostDelim(toReplace, replacor, str) {{{2
" This function takes a string and a delimiter and replaces the left most
" occurrence of this delimiter in the string with a given string
"
" Args:
"   -toReplace: the delimiter in str that is to be replaced
"   -replacor: the string to replace toReplace with
"   -str: the string that contains toReplace
function s:ReplaceLeftMostDelim(toReplace, replacor, str)
    let toReplace = a:toReplace
    let replacor = a:replacor
    "get the left most occurrence of toReplace 
    let indxToReplace = s:FindDelimiterIndex(toReplace, a:str)

    "if there IS an occurrence of toReplace in str then replace it and return
    "the resulting string 
    if indxToReplace != -1
        let line = strpart(a:str, 0, indxToReplace) . replacor . strpart(a:str, indxToReplace+strlen(toReplace))
        return line
    endif

    return a:str
endfunction

" Function: s:ReplaceRightMostDelim(toReplace, replacor, str) {{{2
" This function takes a string and a delimiter and replaces the right most
" occurrence of this delimiter in the string with a given string
"
" Args:
"   -toReplace: the delimiter in str that is to be replaced
"   -replacor: the string to replace toReplace with
"   -str: the string that contains toReplace
" 
function s:ReplaceRightMostDelim(toReplace, replacor, str)
    let toReplace = a:toReplace
    let replacor = a:replacor
    let lenToReplace = strlen(toReplace)

    "get the index of the last delim in str 
    let indxToReplace = s:GetLastIndexOfDelim(toReplace, a:str)

    "if there IS a delimiter in str, replace it and return the result 
    let line = a:str
    if indxToReplace != -1
        let line = strpart(a:str, 0, indxToReplace) . replacor . strpart(a:str, indxToReplace+strlen(toReplace))
    endif
    return line
endfunction

"FUNCTION: s:RestoreScreenState() {{{2 
"
"Sets the screen state back to what it was when s:SaveScreenState was last
"called.
"
function s:RestoreScreenState()
    if !exists("t:NERDComOldTopLine") || !exists("t:NERDComOldPos")
        throw 'NERDCommenter exception: cannot restore screen'
    endif

    call cursor(t:NERDComOldTopLine, 0)
    normal zt
    call setpos(".", t:NERDComOldPos)
endfunction

"FUNCTION: s:SaveScreenState() {{{2 
"Saves the current cursor position in the current buffer and the window
"scroll position 
function s:SaveScreenState()
    let t:NERDComOldPos = getpos(".")
    let t:NERDComOldTopLine = line("w0")
endfunction

" Function: s:SwapOutterMultiPartDelimsForPlaceHolders(line) {{{2
" This function takes a line and swaps the outter most multi-part delims for
" place holders
" Args:
"   -line: the line to swap the delims in
" 
function s:SwapOutterMultiPartDelimsForPlaceHolders(line)
    " find out if the line is commented using normal delims and/or
    " alternate ones 
    let isCommented = s:IsCommented(b:left, b:right, a:line)
    let isCommentedAlt = s:IsCommented(b:leftAlt, b:rightAlt, a:line)

    let line2 = a:line

    "if the line is commented and there is a right delimiter, replace
    "the delims with place-holders
    if isCommented && b:right != ""
        let line2 = s:ReplaceDelims(b:left, b:right, g:NERDLPlace, g:NERDRPlace, a:line)

    "similarly if the line is commented with the alternative
    "delimiters 
    elseif isCommentedAlt && b:rightAlt != ""
        let line2 = s:ReplaceDelims(b:leftAlt, b:rightAlt, g:NERDLPlace, g:NERDRPlace, a:line)
    endif

    return line2
endfunction


" Function: s:SwapOutterPlaceHoldersForMultiPartDelims(line) {{{2
" This function takes a line and swaps the outtermost place holders for
" multi-part delims
" Args:
"   -line: the line to swap the delims in
" 
function s:SwapOutterPlaceHoldersForMultiPartDelims(line)
    let left = ''
    let right = ''
    if b:right != ''
        let left = b:left
        let right = b:right
    elseif b:rightAlt != ''
        let left = b:leftAlt
        let right = b:rightAlt
    endif

    let line = s:ReplaceDelims(g:NERDLPlace, g:NERDRPlace, left, right, a:line)
    return line
endfunction
" Function: s:UnEsc(str, escChar) {{{2
" This function removes all the escape chars from a string
" Args:
"   -str: the string to remove esc chars from
"   -escChar: the escape char to be removed
function s:UnEsc(str, escChar)
    return substitute(a:str, a:escChar, "", "g")
endfunction

" Section: Comment mapping setup {{{1
" ===========================================================================
" This is where the mappings calls are made that set up the commenting key
" mappings.

" set up the mapping to switch to/from alternative delimiters 
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDAltComMap . ' :call <SID>SwitchToAlternativeDelimiters(1)<cr>'

" set up the mappings to comment out lines
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "norm")<cr>'
execute 'vnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineMap . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "norm")<cr>'

" set up the mappings to do toggle comments
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineToggleMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "toggle")<cr>'
execute 'vnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineToggleMap . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "toggle")<cr>'

" set up the mapp to do minimal comments
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineMinimalMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "minimal")<cr>'
execute 'vnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineMinimalMap . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "minimal")<cr>'

" set up the mappings to comment out lines sexily
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineSexyMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "sexy")<CR>'
execute 'vnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineSexyMap . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "sexy")<CR>'

" set up the mappings to do invert comments
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineInvertMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "invert")<CR>'
execute 'vnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineInvertMap . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "invert")<CR>'

" set up the mappings to yank then comment out lines
execute 'nmap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineYankMap . ' "0Y' . g:NERDComLineMap 
execute 'vmap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineYankMap . ' "0ygv' . g:NERDComLineMap

" set up the mappings for left aligned comments 
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComAlignLeftMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "alignLeft")<cr>'
execute 'vnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComAlignLeftMap . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "alignLeft")<cr>'

" set up the mappings for right aligned comments 
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComAlignRightMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "alignRight")<cr>'
execute 'vnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComAlignRightMap . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "alignRight")<cr>'

" set up the mappings for left and right aligned comments 
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComAlignBothMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "alignBoth")<cr>'
execute 'vnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComAlignBothMap . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "alignBoth")<cr>'

" set up the mappings to do nested comments 
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineNestMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "nested")<cr>'
execute 'vnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComLineNestMap . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "nested")<cr>'

" set up the mapping to uncomment a line 
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDUncomLineMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "uncomment")<cr>'
execute 'vnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDUncomLineMap . ' :call NERDComment(1, "uncomment")<cr>'

" set up the mapping to comment out to the end of the line
execute 'nnoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComToEOLMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "toEOL")<cr>'

" set up the mappings to append comments to the line
execute 'nmap <silent>' . g:NERDAppendComMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "append")<cr>'

" set up the mappings to append comments to the line
execute 'nmap <silent>' . g:NERDPrependComMap . ' :call NERDComment(0, "prepend")<cr>'

" set up the mapping to insert comment delims at the cursor position in insert mode
execute 'inoremap <silent>' . g:NERDComInInsertMap . ' ' . '<SPACE><BS><ESC>:call NERDComment(0, "insert")<CR>'

" Section: Menu item setup {{{1
" ===========================================================================
"check if the user wants the menu to be displayed 
if g:NERDMenuMode != 0

    let menuRoot = ""
    if g:NERDMenuMode == 1
        let menuRoot = 'comment'
    elseif g:NERDMenuMode == 2
        let menuRoot = '&comment'
    elseif g:NERDMenuMode == 3
        let menuRoot = '&Plugin.&comment'
    endif

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "norm")<CR>'
    execute 'vmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineMap, '\') . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "norm")<CR>'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Toggle<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineToggleMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "toggle")<CR>'
    execute 'vmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Toggle<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineToggleMap, '\') . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "toggle")<CR>'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Minimal<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineMinimalMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "minimal")<CR>'
    execute 'vmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Minimal<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineMinimalMap, '\') . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "minimal")<CR>'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Nested<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineNestMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "nested")<CR>'
    execute 'vmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Nested<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineNestMap, '\') . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "nested")<CR>'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ To\ EOL<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComToEOLMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "toEOL")<cr>'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Invert<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineInvertMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0,"invert")<CR>'
    execute 'vmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Invert<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineInvertMap, '\') . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1,"invert")<CR>'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Sexily<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineSexyMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0,"sexy")<CR>'
    execute 'vmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Sexily<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineSexyMap, '\') . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1,"sexy")<CR>'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Yank\ line(s)\ then\ comment<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineYankMap, '\') . ' "0Y' . g:NERDComLineMap 
    execute 'vmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Yank\ line(s)\ then\ comment<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComLineYankMap, '\') . ' "0ygv' . g:NERDComLineMap

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Append\ Comment\ to\ Line<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDAppendComMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "append")<cr>'
    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Prepend\ Comment\ to\ Line<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDPrependComMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "prepend")<cr>'

    execute 'menu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.-Sep-    :'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Align\ Left\ (nested)<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComAlignLeftMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "alignLeft")<CR>'
    execute 'vmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Align\ Left\ (nested)<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComAlignLeftMap, '\') . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "alignLeft")<CR>'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Align\ Right\ (nested)<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComAlignRightMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "alignRight")<CR>'
    execute 'vmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Align\ Right\ (nested)<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComAlignRightMap, '\') . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "alignRight")<CR>'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Align\ Both\ (nested)<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComAlignBothMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "alignBoth")<CR>'
    execute 'vmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Comment\ Align\ Both\ (nested)<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComAlignBothMap, '\') . ' <ESC>:call NERDComment(1, "alignBoth")<CR>'

    execute 'menu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.-Sep2-    :'

    execute 'menu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Uncomment<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDUncomLineMap, '\') . ' :call NERDComment(0, "uncomment")<cr>'
    execute 'vmenu <silent>' . menuRoot.'.Uncomment<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDUncomLineMap, '\') . ' <esc>:call NERDComment(1, "uncomment")<cr>'

    execute 'menu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.-Sep3-    :'

    execute 'nmenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Use\ Alternative\ Delimiters<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDAltComMap, '\') . ' :call <SID>SwitchToAlternativeDelimiters(1)<CR>'


    execute 'imenu <silent> '. menuRoot .'.Insert\ Delims<TAB>' . escape(g:NERDComInInsertMap, '\') . ' <SPACE><BS><ESC>:call NERDComment(0, "insert")<CR>'

    execute 'menu '. menuRoot .'.-Sep4-    :'

    execute 'menu <silent>'. menuRoot .'.Help<TAB>:help\ NERDCommenterContents :help NERDCommenterContents<CR>'
endif

" Section: Doc installation call {{{1
silent call s:InstallDocumentation(expand('<sfile>:p'), s:NERD_commenter_version)

finish
"=============================================================================
" Section: The help file {{{1 
" Title {{{2
" ============================================================================
=== START_DOC
*NERD_commenter.txt*         Plugin for commenting code           #version#


                        NERD COMMENTER REFERENCE MANUAL~





==============================================================================
CONTENTS {{{2                                          *NERDCommenterContents* 

    1.Intro...................................|NERDCommenter|
    2.Functionality provided..................|NERDComFunctionality|
        2.1 Functionality Summary.............|NERDComFunctionalitySummary|
        2.2 Functionality Details.............|NERDComFunctionalityDetails|
            2.2.1 Comment map.................|NERDComComment|
            2.2.2 Nested comment map..........|NERDComNestedComment|
            2.2.3 Toggle comment map..........|NERDComToggleComment| 
            2.2.4 Minimal comment map.........|NERDComMinimalComment| 
            2.2.5 Invert comment map..........|NERDComInvertComment|
            2.2.6 Sexy comment map............|NERDComSexyComment|
            2.2.7 Yank comment map............|NERDComYankComment|
            2.2.8 Comment to EOL map..........|NERDComEOLComment|
            2.2.9 Append com to line map......|NERDComAppendComment|
            2.2.10 Prepend com to line map....|NERDComPrependComment|
            2.2.11 Insert comment map.........|NERDComInsertComment|
            2.2.12 Use alternate delims map...|NERDComAltDelim|
            2.2.13 Comment aligned maps.......|NERDComAlignedComment|
            2.2.14 Uncomment line map.........|NERDComUncommentLine|
        2.3 Supported filetypes...............|NERDComFiletypes|
        2.4 Sexy Comments.....................|NERDComSexyComments|
        2.5 The NERDComment function..........|NERDComNERDComment|
    3.Options.................................|NERDComOptions|
        3.1 Options summary...................|NERDComOptionsSummary|
        3.2 Options details...................|NERDComOptionsDetails|
        3.3 Default delimiter Options.........|NERDComDefaultDelims|
        3.4 Key mapping Options...............|NERDComMappings|
    4.Issues with the script..................|NERDComIssues|
        4.1 Delimiter detection heuristics....|NERDComHeuristics|
        4.2 Nesting issues....................|NERDComNesting|
    5.TODO list...............................|NERDComTodo|
    6.Changelog...............................|NERDComChangelog|
    7.Credits.................................|NERDComCredits|

==============================================================================
1. Intro {{{2                                                  *NERDCommenter*

The NERD commenter provides many different commenting operations and styles
which may be invoked via key mappings and a commenting menu. These operations
are available for most filetypes.

There are also options available that allow you to tweak the commenting engine
to you taste.

==============================================================================
2. Functionality provided {{{2                          *NERDComFunctionality*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 Functionality summary {{{3                   *NERDComFunctionalitySummary*

The following key mappings are provided by default (there is also a menu
provided that contains menu items corresponding to all the below mappings):

Most of the following mappings are for normal/visual mode only. The
|NERDComInsertComment| mapping is for insert mode only.

,cc |NERDComComment| 
Comments out the current line or text selected in visual mode.


,cn |NERDComNestedComment| 
Same as |NERDComComment| but forces nesting.


,c<space> |NERDComToggleComment| 
Toggles the comment state of the selected line(s). If the topmost selected
line is commented, all selected lines are uncommented and vice versa.


,cm |NERDComMinimalComment| 
Comments the given lines using only one set of multipart delimiters if
possible. 


,ci |NERDComInvertComment| 
Toggles the comment state of the selected line(s) individually. Each selected
line that is commented is uncommented and vice versa.


,cs |NERDComSexyComment| 
Comments out the selected lines ``sexually''


,cy |NERDComYankComment|
Same as |NERDComComment| except that the commented line(s) are yanked
before commenting.


,c$ |NERDComEOLComment| 
Comments the current line from the cursor to the end of line.


,cA |NERDComAppendComment| 
Adds comment delimiters to the end of line and goes into insert mode between
them.


,cI |NERDComPrependComment| 
Adds comment delimiters to the start of line and goes into insert mode between
them.


<C-c> |NERDComInsertComment| 
Adds comment delimiters at the current cursor position and inserts between.


,ca |NERDComAltDelim| 
Switches to the alternative set of delimiters.


,cl OR ,cr OR ,cb |NERDComAlignedComment| 
Same as |NERDComComment| except that the delimiters are aligned down the
left side (,cl), the right side (,cr) or both sides
(,cb).


,cu |NERDComUncommentLine| 
Uncomments the selected line(s).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2 Functionality details {{{3                   *NERDComFunctionalityDetails*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.1 Comment map                                             *NERDComComment*

Default mapping: ,cc
Change the mapping with: NERDComLineMap. 
Applicable modes: normal visual visual-line visual-block.  


Comments out the current line. If multiple lines are selected in visual-line
mode, they are all commented out.  If some text is selected in visual or
visual-block mode then the script will try to comment out the exact text that
is selected using multi-part delimiters if they are available.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.2 Nested comment map                                *NERDComNestedComment*

Default mapping: ,cn
Change the mapping with: NERDComLineNestMap.
Applicable modes: normal visual visual-line visual-block.

Performs nested commenting.  Works the same as ,cc except that if a
line is already commented then it will be commented again. 

If |NERDUsePlaceHolders| is set then the previous comment delimiters will
be replaced by place-holder delimiters if needed.  Otherwise the nested
comment will only be added if the current commenting delimiters have no right
delimiter (to avoid syntax errors) 


Related options:
|NERDDefaultNesting|

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.3 Toggle comment map                                *NERDComToggleComment* 

Default mapping: ,c<space> 
Change the mapping with: NERDComLineToggleMap.
Applicable modes: normal visual-line.

Toggles commenting of the lines selected. The behaviour of this mapping
depends on whether the first line selected is commented or not.  If so, all
selected lines are uncommented and vice versa. 

With this mapping, a line is only considered to be commented if it starts with
a left delimiter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.4 Minimal comment map                              *NERDComMinimalComment* 

Default mapping: ,cm
Change the mapping with: NERDComLineMinimalMap
Applicable modes: normal visual-line.

Comments the selected lines using one set of multipart delimiters if possible.

For example: if you are programming in c and you select 5 lines and press
,cm then a '/*' will be placed at the start of the top line and a '*/'
will be placed at the end of the last line.

Sets of multipart comment delimiters that are between the top and bottom
selected lines are replaced with place holders (see |NERDLPlace|) if
|NERDUsePlaceHolders| is set for the current filetype. If it is not, then
the comment will be aborted if place holders are required to prevent illegal
syntax.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.5 Invert comment map                                *NERDComInvertComment*

Default mapping: ,ci 
Change the mapping with: NERDComLineInvertMap.
Applicable modes: normal visual-line.

Inverts the commented state of each selected line. If the a selected line is
commented then it is uncommented and vice versa. Each line is examined and
commented/uncommented individually. 

With this mapping, a line is only considered to be commented if it starts with
a left delimiter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.6 Sexy comment map                                    *NERDComSexyComment*

Default mapping: ,cs  
Change the mapping with: NERDComLineSexyMap
Applicable modes: normal, visual-line.

Comments the selected line(s) ``sexily''... see |NERDComSexyComments| for
a description of what sexy comments are. Can only be done on filetypes for
which there is at least one set of multipart comment delimiters specified. 

Sexy comments cannot be nested and lines inside a sexy comment cannot be
commented again.

Related options:
|NERDCompactSexyComs|

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.7 Yank comment map                                    *NERDComYankComment*

Default mapping: ,cy  
Change the mapping with: NERDComLineYankMap
Applicable modes: normal visual visual-line visual-block.

Same as ,cc except that it yanks the line(s) that are commented first. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.8 Comment to EOL map                                   *NERDComEOLComment*

Default mapping: ,c$ 
Change the mapping with: NERDComToEOLMap 
Applicable modes: normal.

Comments the current line from the current cursor position up to the end of
the line. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.9 Append com to line map                            *NERDComAppendComment*

Default mapping: ,cA      
Change the mapping with: NERDAppendComMap. 
Applicable modes: normal.

Appends comment delimiters to the end of the current line and goes
to insert mode between the new delimiters.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.10 Prepend com to line map                         *NERDComPrependComment*

Default mapping: ,cI
Change the mapping with: NERDPrependComMap.
Applicable modes: normal.

Prepends comment delimiters to the start of the current line and goes to
insert mode between the new delimiters.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.11 Insert comment map                               *NERDComInsertComment*

Default mapping: <C-c>
Change the mapping with: NERDComInInsertMap. 
Applicable modes: insert.

Adds comment delimiters at the current cursor position and inserts
between them. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.12 Use alternate delims map                              *NERDComAltDelim*

Default mapping: ,ca
Change the mapping with: NERDAltComMap
Applicable modes: normal.

Changes to the alternative commenting style if one is available. For example,
if the user is editing a c++ file using // comments and they hit ,ca
then they will be switched over to /**/ comments.  

See also |NERDComDefaultDelims|

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.13 Comment aligned maps                            *NERDComAlignedComment*

Default mappings: ,cl ,cr ,cb    
Change the mappings with: NERDComAlignLeftMap, NERDComAlignRightMap and
NERDComAlignBothMap.
Applicable modes: normal visual-line.

Same as ,cc except that the comment delimiters are aligned on the left
side, right side or both sides respectively. These comments are always nested
if the line(s) are already commented. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.14 Uncomment line map                               *NERDComUncommentLine*

Default mapping: ,cu      
Change the mapping with: NERDUncomLineMap.
Applicable modes: normal visual visual-line visual-block.

Uncomments the current line. If multiple lines are selected in
visual mode then they are all uncommented.

When uncommenting, if the line contains multiple sets of delimiters then the
``outtermost'' pair of delimiters will be removed.

The script uses a set of heurisics to distinguish ``real'' delimiters from
``fake'' ones when uncommenting. See |NERDComIssues| for details.

Related  options:
|NERDRemoveAltComs|
|NERDRemoveExtraSpaces|

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.3 Supported filetypes {{{3                                *NERDComFiletypes*

Filetypes that can be commented by this plugin:
abaqus abc acedb ada ahdl amiga aml ampl ant apache apachestyle asm68k asm asn
aspvbs atlas autohotkey autoit automake ave awk basic b bc bdf bib bindzone bst
btm caos catalog c cfg cg ch changelog cl clean clipper cmake conf config
context cpp crontab cs csc csp css cterm cupl csv cvs dcl debchangelog
debcontrol debsources def diff django docbk dns dosbatch dosini dot dracula dsl
dtd dtml dylan ecd eiffel elf elmfilt erlang eruby eterm expect exports
fetchmail fgl focexec form fortran foxpro fstab fvwm fx gdb gdmo geek
gentoo-package-keywords' gentoo-package-mask' gentoo-package-use' gnuplot gtkrc
haskell hb h help hercules hog html htmldjango htmlos ia64 icon idlang idl
indent inform inittab ishd iss ist jam java javascript jess jgraph jproperties
jproperties jsp kconfig kix kscript lace lex lftp lifelines lilo lisp lite
lotos lout lprolog lscript lss lua lynx m4 mail make maple masm master matlab
mel mf mib mma model moduala.  modula2 modula3 monk mush muttrc named nasm
nastran natural ncf netdict netrw nqc nroff nsis ocaml occam omlet omnimark
openroad opl ora otl ox pascal passwd pcap pccts perl pfmain php phtml pic pike
pilrc pine plaintex plm plsql po postscr pov povini ppd ppwiz procmail progress
prolog psf ptcap python python qf radiance ratpoison r rc readline rebol
registry remind rexx robots rpl rtf ruby sa samba sas sather scheme scilab
screen scsh sdl sed selectbuf sgml sgmldecl sgmllnx sicad simula sinda skill
slang sl slrnrc sm smarty smil smith sml snnsnet snnspat snnsres snobol4 spec
specman spice sql sqlforms sqlj sqr squid st stp strace svn systemverilog tads
taglist tags tak tasm tcl terminfo tex text plaintex texinfo texmf tf tidy tli
trasys tsalt tsscl tssgm uc uil vb verilog verilog_systemverilog vgrindefs vhdl
vim viminfo virata vo_base vrml vsejcl webmacro wget winbatch wml [^w]*sh
wvdial xdefaults xf86conf xhtml xkb xmath xml xmodmap xpm2 xpm xslt yacc yaml
z8a 

If a language is not in the list of hardcoded supported filetypes then the
&commentstring vim option is used.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.4 Sexy Comments {{{3                                   *NERDComSexyComments*
These are comments that use one set of multipart comment delimiters as well as
one other marker symbol. For example: >
    /*
     * This is a c style sexy comment
     * So there!
     */

    /* This is a c style sexy comment
     * So there! 
     * But this one is ``compact'' style */
<
Here the multipart delimiters are /* and */ and the marker is *. The NERD
commenter is capable of adding and removing comments of this type.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.5 The NERDComment function {{{3                        *NERDComNERDComment*

All of the NERD commenter mappings and menu items invoke a single function
which delegates the commenting work to other functions. This function is
public and has the prototype: >
    function! NERDComment(isVisual, type) 
<
The arguments to this function are simple: 
    - isVisual: if you wish to do any kind of visual comment then set this to
      1 and the function will use the '< and '> marks to find the comment
      boundries. If set to 0 then the function will operate on the current
      line.
    - type: is used to specify what type of commenting operation is to be
      performed, and it can be one of the following: 'sexy', 'invert',
      'minimal', 'toggle', 'alignLeft', 'alignRight', 'alignBoth', 'norm',
      'nested', 'toEOL', 'prepend', 'append', 'insert', 'uncomment'

For example, if you typed >
    :call NERDComment(1, 'sexy')
<
then the script would do a sexy comment on the last visual selection.
 

==============================================================================
3. Options {{{2                                               *NERDComOptions*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1 Options summary                                    *NERDComOptionsSummary*

|loaded_nerd_comments|                Turns off the script.
|NERDAllowAnyVisualDelims|            Allows multipart alternative delims to
                                      be used when commenting in
                                      visual/visual-block mode.
|NERDBlockComIgnoreEmpty|             Forces right delims to be placed when
                                      doing visual-block comments.
|NERDCommentWholeLinesInVMode|        Changes behaviour of visual comments.
|NERDDefaultNesting|                  Tells the script to use nested comments
                                      by default.
|NERDMenuMode|                        Specifies how the NERD commenter menu
                                      will appear (if at all).
|NERDLPlace|                          Specifies what to use as the left
                                      delimiter placeholder when nesting
                                      comments.
|NERDMapleader|                       Specifies what all the commenting key
                                      mappings will begin with.
|NERDUsePlaceHolders|                 Specifies which filetypes may use
                                      placeholders when nesting comments.
|NERDRemoveAltComs|                   Tells the script whether to remove
                                      alternative comment delimiters when
                                      uncommenting.
|NERDRemoveExtraSpaces|               Tells the script to always remove the
                                      extra spaces when uncommenting
                                      (regardless of whether NERDSpaceDelims
                                      is set) 
|NERDRPlace|                          Specifies what to use as the right
                                      delimiter placeholder when nesting
                                      comments.
|NERDShutUp|                          Stops "Unknown filetype" output from the
                                      script
|NERDSpaceDelims|                     Specifies whether to add extra spaces
                                      around delimiters when commenting, and
                                      whether to remove them when
                                      uncommenting.
|NERDCompactSexyComs|                 Specifies whether to use the compact
                                      style sexy comments.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.3 Options details                                    *NERDComOptionsDetails*

To enable any of the below options you should put the given line in your 
~/.vimrc

                                                       *loaded_nerd_comments*
If this script is driving you insane you can turn it off by setting this
option >
    let loaded_nerd_comments=1
<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    *NERDAllowAnyVisualDelims*
Values: 0 or 1.                            
Default: 1.

If set to 1 then, when doing a visual or visual-block comment (but not a
visual-line comment), the script will choose the right delimiters to use for
the comment. This means either using the current delimiters if they are
multipart or using the alternative delimiters if THEY are multipart.  For
example if we are editing the following java code: >
    float foo = 1221;
    float bar = 324;
    System.out.println(foo * bar);
<
If we are using // comments and select the "foo" and "bar" in visual-block
mode, as shown left below (where '|'s are used to represent the visual-block 
boundary), and comment it then the script will use the alternative delims as
shown on the right: >

    float |foo| = 1221;                   float /*foo*/ = 1221;
    float |bar| = 324;                    float /*bar*/ = 324;
    System.out.println(foo * bar);        System.out.println(foo * bar);
<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     *NERDBlockComIgnoreEmpty*
Values: 0 or 1.                            
Default: 1.

This option  affects visual-block mode commenting. If this option is turned
on, lines that begin outside the right boundary of the selection block will be
ignored.

For example, if you are commenting this chunk of c code in visual-block mode
(where the '|'s are used to represent the visual-block boundary) >
    #include <sys/types.h>
    #include <unistd.h>
    #include <stdio.h>
   |int| main(){
   |   | printf("SUCK THIS\n");
   |   | while(1){
   |   |     fork();
   |   | }
   |}  | 
<
If NERDBlockComIgnoreEmpty=0 then this code will become: >
    #include <sys/types.h>
    #include <unistd.h>
    #include <stdio.h>
    /*int*/ main(){
    /*   */ printf("SUCK THIS\n");
    /*   */ while(1){
    /*   */     fork();
    /*   */ }
    /*}  */ 
<
Otherwise, the code block would become: >
    #include <sys/types.h>
    #include <unistd.h>
    #include <stdio.h>
    /*int*/ main(){
    printf("SUCK THIS\n");
    while(1){
        fork();
    }
    /*}  */ 
<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                *NERDCommentWholeLinesInVMode*
Values: 0, 1 or 2.
Default: 0.

By default the script tries to comment out exactly what is selected in visual
mode (v). For example if you select and comment the following c code (using |
to represent the visual boundary): >
    in|t foo = 3;
    int bar =| 9;
    int baz = foo + bar;
<
This will result in: >
    in/*t foo = 3;*/
    /*int bar =*/ 9;
    int baz = foo + bar;
<
But some people prefer it if the whole lines are commented like: >
    /*int foo = 3;*/
    /*int bar = 9;*/
    int baz = foo + bar;
<
If you prefer the second option then stick this line in your vimrc: >
    let NERDCommentWholeLinesInVMode=1
<

If the filetype you are editing only has no multipart delimiters (for example
a shell script) and you hadnt set this option then the above would become >
    in#t foo = 3;
    #int bar = 9;
<
(where # is the comment delimiter) as this is the closest the script can
come to commenting out exactly what was selected. If you prefer for whole
lines to be commented out when there is no multipart delimiters but the EXACT
text that was selected to be commented out if there IS multipart delimiters
then stick the following line in your vimrc: >
    let NERDCommentWholeLinesInVMode=2
<

Note that this option does not affect the behaviour of |visual-block| mode.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           *NERDRemoveAltComs*
Values: 0 or 1.
Default: 1.

When uncommenting a line (for a filetype with an alternative commenting style)
this option tells the script whether to look for, and remove, comments
delimiters of the alternative style.

For example, if you are editing a c++ file using // style comments and you go
,cu on this line: >
    /* This is a c++ comment baby! */
<
It will not be uncommented if the NERDRemoveAltComs is set to 0.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       *NERDRemoveExtraSpaces*
Values: 0 or 1.
Default: 1.

By default, the NERD commenter will remove spaces around comment delimiters if
either:
1. |NERDSpaceDelims| is set to 1.
2. NERDRemoveExtraSpaces is set to 1.

This means that if we have the following lines in a c code file: >
    /* int foo = 5; */
    /* int bar = 10; */
    int baz = foo + bar
<
If either of the above conditions hold then if these lines are uncommented
they will become: >
    int foo = 5;
    int bar = 10;
    int baz = foo + bar
<
Otherwise they would become: >
     int foo = 5;
     int bar = 10;
    int baz = foo + bar
<
If you want the spaces to be removed only if |NERDSpaceDelims| is set then
set NERDRemoveExtraSpaces to 0.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  *NERDLPlace*
                                                                  *NERDRPlace*
Values: arbitrary string.
Default: 
    NERDLPlace: "[>"
    NERDRPlace: "<]"

These options are used to control the strings used as place-holder delimiters.
Place holder delimiters are used when performing nested commenting when the
filetype supports commenting styles with both left and right delimiters.
To set these options use lines like: >
    let NERDLPlace="FOO" 
    let NERDRPlace="BAR" 
<
Following the above example, if we have line of c code: >
    /* int horse */
<
and we comment it with ,cn it will be changed to: >
    /*FOO int horse BAR*/
<
When we uncomment this line it will go back to what it was.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               *NERDMapleader*
Values: arbitrary string.
Default: \c

NERDMapleader is used to specify what all the NERD commenter key mappings
begin with. 

The default key mappings will look like this: >
    \cc
    \cu
    \ca
    \ci
    \cs
    ...
<
However, if this line: >
    let NERDMapleader = ',x'
<
were present in your vimrc then the default mappings would look like this: >
    ,xc
    ,xu
    ,xa
    ,xi
    ,xs
    ...
<
This option only affects the mappings that have not been explicitly set
manually (see |NERDComMappings|).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                *NERDMenuMode*
Values: 0, 1, 2, 3.
Default: 3

This option can take 4 values:
    "0": Turns the menu off.
    "1": Turns the 'comment' menu on with no menu shortcut.
    "2": Turns the 'comment 'menu on with <alt>-c as the shortcut.
    "3": Turns the 'Plugin -> comment' menu on with <alt>-c as the shortcut.
    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         *NERDUsePlaceHolders*
Values: 0 or 1.
Default 1.

This option is used to specify whether place-holder delimiters should be used
when adding nested comments.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  *NERDShutUp*
Values: 0 or 1.
Default 1.

This option is used to prevent the script from echoing "Unknown filetype"
messages.  Stick this line in your vimrc: >
    let NERDShutUp=1
<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             *NERDSpaceDelims*
Values: 0 or 1.
Default 0.

Some people prefer a space after the left delimiter and before the right
delimiter like this: >
    /* int foo=2; */
<
as opposed to this: >
    /*int foo=2;*/
<
If you want spaces to be added then set NERDSpaceDelims to 1 in your vimrc.

See also |NERDRemoveExtraSpaces|.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         *NERDCompactSexyComs*
Values: 0 or 1.
Default 0.

Some people may want their sexy comments to be like this: >
    /* Hi There!
     * This is a sexy comment
     * in c */
<
As opposed to like this: >
    /* 
     * Hi There!
     * This is a sexy comment
     * in c 
     */
<
If this option is set to 1 then the top style will be used.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          *NERDDefaultNesting*
Values: 0 or 1.
Default 0.

When this option is set to 1, comments are nested automatically. That is, if
you hit ,cc on a line that is already commented it will be commented
again

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.3 Default delimiter customisation                     *NERDComDefaultDelims*

If you want the NERD commenter to use the alternative delimiters for a
specific filetype by default then put a line of this form into your vimrc: >
    let NERD_<&filetype>_alt_style=1
<
Example: java uses // style comments by default, but you want it to default to
/* */ style comments instead. You would put this line in your vimrc: >
    let NERD_java_alt_style=1
<

See |NERDComAltDelim| for switching commenting styles at runtime.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.4 Key mapping customisation                                *NERDComMappings*

These options are used to override the default keys that are used for the
commenting mappings. Their values must be set to strings. As an example: if
you wanted to use the mapping ,foo to uncomment lines of code then 
you would place this line in your vimrc >
    let NERDUncomLineMap=",foo"
<
Check out |NERDComFunctionality| for details about what the following 
mappings do.

Default Mapping     Option to override~

,ca                 NERDAltComMap
,ce                 NERDAppendComMap
,cl                 NERDComAlignLeftMap
,cb                 NERDComAlignBothMap
,cr                 NERDComAlignRightMap
<C-c>               NERDComInInsertMap
,ci                 NERDComLineInvertMap
,cc                 NERDComLineMap
,cn                 NERDComLineNestMap
,cs                 NERDComLineSexyMap
,c<space>           NERDComLineToggleMap
,cm                 NERDComLineMinimalMap
,c$                 NERDComToEOLMap
,cy                 NERDComLineYankMap
,cu                 NERDUncomLineMap
                 
==============================================================================
4. Issues with the script{{{2                                  *NERDComIssues*


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.1 Delimiter detection heuristics                         *NERDComHeuristics*

Heuristics are used to distinguish the real comment delimiters

Because we have comment mappings that place delimiters in the middle of lines,
removing comment delimiters is a bit tricky. This is because if comment
delimiters appear in a line doesnt mean they really ARE delimiters. For
example, Java uses // comments but the line >
    System.out.println("//");
<
clearly contains no real comment delimiters. 

To distinguish between ``real'' comment delimiters and ``fake'' ones we use a
set of heuristics. For example, one such heuristic states that any comment
delimiter that has an odd number of non-escaped " characters both preceding
and following it on the line is not a comment because it is probably part of a
string. These heuristics, while usually pretty accurate, will not work for all
cases.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2 Nesting issues                                            *NERDComNesting*

If we have some line of code like this: >
    /*int foo */ = /*5 + 9;*/
<
This will not be uncommented legally. The NERD commenter will remove the
"outter most" delimiters so the line will become: >
    int foo */ = /*5 + 9;
<
which almost certainly will not be what you want. Nested sets of comments will
uncomment fine though. Eg: >
    /*int/* foo =*/ 5 + 9;*/
<
will become: >
    int/* foo =*/ 5 + 9;
<
(Note that in the above examples I have deliberately not used place holders
for simplicity)

==============================================================================
5. TODO list {{{2                                                *NERDComTodo*

Uncommenting of minimal comments needs to be more robust. Currently it is easy
to get illegal syntax when uncommenting them.



==============================================================================
6. Changelog {{{2                                           *NERDComChangelog*

2.0.7
    - Added support for eclass and ebuild filetypes. Thanks to Alex Tarkovsky
      for the email.

2.0.6
    - Changed the default setting of NERDMapleader to ",c", meaning all the
      maps now start with ,c instead of \c. This is to stop a major mapping
      clash with the vcscommand plugin. Anyone wanting to keep the \c map
      leader should read :help NERDMapleader.
    - Added support for debcontrol and dummy support for debchangelog
      filetypes, thanks to Stefano Zacchiroli for the email.
    - Made it so that the NERDShutUp option now only controls the "Pleeease
      email the delimiters..." requests. It no longer affects the general
      output of the script.
    - Simplified the names of the help tags. 

2.0.5
    - Added support for autoit, autohotkey and docbk filetypes (thanks to
      Michael Böhler)
    - Added support for cmake (thanks to Aaron Small)
    - Added support for htmldjango and django filetypes (thanks to Ramiro
      Morales)
    - Improved the delimiters for eruby again
    - Applied a patch from Seth Mason to fix some pathing issues with the help
      file installation.

2.0.4
    - Added support for verilog_systemverilog and systemverilog filetypes
      (Thanks to Alexey for the email)
    - Added support for fstab, thanks to Lizendir for the email.
    - Added support for the smarty filetype.
    - Improved the delimiters for eruby.
    - Added dummy support for changelog filetype.

2.0.3
    - Added dummy support for the csv filetype (thx to Mark Woodward for the
      email)
    - Added dummy support for vo_base and otl filetypes (thanks to fREW for
      the email)

2.0.2:
    - Minor bug fix that was stopping nested comments from working

2.0.1:
    - Fixed the visual bell for the |NERDComToEOLMap| map.
    - Added another possible value to the NERDMenuMode option which causes the
      menu to be displayed under 'Plugin -> Comment'. See :h NERDMenuMode.
      This new menu mode is now the default.
    - Added support for the occam filetype (thanks to Anders for emailing me)
    - Made the main commenting function (NERDComment) available outside the
      script.
    - bug fixes and refactoring

2.0.0:
    - NOTE: renamed the script to  NERD_commenter.vim. When you install this
      version you must delete the old files: NERD_comments.vim and 
      NERD_comments.txt.
    - Reworked the mappings and main entry point function for the script to
      avoid causing visual-bells and screen scrolling.
    - Changes to the script options (see |NERD_com-Customisation| for
      details):
        - They are all camel case now instead of underscored.
        - Converted all of the regular expression options into simple boolean
          options for simplicity.
        - All the options are now stated positively, eg.
          NERD_dont_remove_spaces_regexp has become NERDRemoveExtraSpaces.
        - Some of the option names have been changed (other than in the above
          ways)
        - Some have been removed altogether, namely: NERD_create_h_filetype
          (why was a commenting script creating a filetype?!),
          NERD_left_align_regexp, NERD_right_align_regexp, 

    - Removed all the NERD_use_alt_style_XXX_coms options and replaced them
      with a better system. Now if a filetype has alternative delims, the
      script will check whether an option of the form
      "NERD_<&filetype>_alt_style" exists, and if it does then alt delims will
      be used. See |NERD_com-cust-delims| for details.
    - The script no longer removes extra spaces for sexy comments for the
      NERDRemoveExtraSpaces option (it will still remove spaces if
      NERDSpaceDelims is set).
    - Added dummy support for viminfo and rtf.
    - Added support for the "gentoo-package-\(keywords\|mask\|use\)"
      filetypes.
    - Added '#' comments as an alternative for the asm filetype

Thanks to Markus Klinik and Anders for bug reports, and again to Anders
for his patch. Thanks to John O'Shea and fREW for the filetype
information.

==============================================================================
7. Credits {{{2                                               *NERDComCredits*

Thanks and respect to the following people:

Thanks to Nick Brettell for his many ideas and criticisms. A bloody good
bastard.  
:normal :.-2s/good//

Thanks to Matthew Hawkins for his awesome refactoring!

Thanks to the authors of the vimspell whose documentation 
installation function I stole :)

Thanks to Greg Searle for the idea of using place-holders for nested comments.

Thanks to Nguyen for the suggestions and pointing the h file highlighting bug!
Also, thanks for the idea of doing sexy comments as well as his suggestions
relating to it :P 
Thanks again to Nguyen for complaining about the NERD_comments menu mapping 
(<Alt>-c) interfering with another mapping of his... and thus the 
NERD_dont_create_menu_shortcut option was born :P
(it was then replaced with NERD_menu_mode in version 1.67 :)

Thanks to Sam R for pointing out some filetypes that NERD_comments could support!

Cheers to Litchi for the idea of having a mapping that appends a comment to
the current line :)

Thanks to jorge scandaliaris and Shufeng Zheng for telling me about some
problems with commenting in visual mode. Thanks again to Jorge for his
continued suggestions on this matter :)

Thanks to Martin Stubenschrott for pointing out a bug with the <C-c> mapping
:) Ive gotta stop breaking this mapping!

Thanks to Markus Erlmann for pointing out a conflict that this script was
having with the taglist plugin.

Thanks to Brent Rice for alerting me about, and helping me track down, a bug
in the script when the "ignorecase" option in vim was set.

Thanks to Richard Willis for telling me about how line continuation was
causing problems on cygwin. Also, thanks pointing out a bug in the help file
and for suggesting // comments for c (its about time SOMEONE did :P). May ANSI
have mercy on your soul :)

Thanks to Igor Prischepoff for suggesting that i implement "toggle comments".
Also, thanks for his suggested improvements about toggle comments after i
implemented them.

Thanks to harry for telling me that i broke the <leader>cn mapping in 1.53 :),
and thanks again for telling me about a bug that occurred when editing a file
in a new tab.

Thanks to Martin (Krischikim?) for his patch that fixed a bug with the doc
install function and added support for ada comments with spaces as well as
making a couple of other small changes.

Thanks to David Bourgeois for pointing out a bug with when commenting c files
:)... [a few days later] ok i completely  misunderstood what David was talking
about and ended up fixing a completely different bug to what he was talking
about :P

Thanks to David Bourgeois for pointing out a bug when changing buffers.

Cheers to Eike Von Seggern for sending me a patch to fix a bug in 1.60 that
was causing spaces to be added to the end of lines with single-part
delimiters. It's nice when people do my work for me :D

Thanks to Torsten Blix for telling me about a couple of bugs when uncommenting
sexy comments. Sexy comments dont look so sexy when they are only half removed
:P

Thanks to Alexander "boesi" Bosecke for pointing out a bug that was stopping
the NERD_space_delim_filetype_regexp option from working with left aligned
toggle comments. And for pointing out a bug when initialising VB comments. 

Thanks to Stefano Zacchiroli for suggesting the idea of "Minimal comments".
And for suggested improvements to minimal comments.

Thanks to Norick Chen for emailing in a patch that fixed the asp delimiters.
In 1.65

Thanks to Jonathan Derque for alerting me to some filetypes that could be
supported (Namely: context, plaintext and mail).

Thanks to Joseph Barker for the sugesting that the menu be an optional
feature.

Thanks to Gary Church and Tim Carey-Smith for complaining about the
keymappings and causing me to introduce the NERD_mapleader option :)

Thanks to Vigil for pointing out that the "fetchmail" filetype was not
supported and emailing me the delimiters        

Thanks to Michael Brunner for telling me about the kconfig filetype.

Thanks to Antono Vasiljev for telling me about the netdict filetype.

Thanks to Melissa Reid for telling me about the omlet filetype.

Thanks to Ilia N Ternovich for alerting me to the 'qf' (quickfix) filetype.

Thanks to Markus Klinik for emailing me about a bug for sexy comments where
spaces were being eaten.

Thanks to John O'Shea for emailing me about the RTF filetype.

Thanks to Anders for emailing me a patch to help get rid of all the visual
bells and screen scrolling, and for sending me the delimiters for the occam
filetype.

Thanks to Anders and Markus Klinik for emailing me about the screen scrolling
issues and finally getting me off my ass about them :P

Thanks to Mark Woodward for emailing me about the csv filetype.

Thanks to fREW for emailing me with the /gentoo-package-(mask|keywords|use)/
filetypes the vo_base filetype.

Thanks to Alexey for emailing me about the verilog_systemverilog/systemverilog
filetypes.

Cheers to Lizendir for the email about the fstab filetype

Thanks to Michael Böhler for emailing me with the autoit, autohotkey and docbk
filetypes.

Thanks to Aaron Small for emailing me about the cmake filetype.

Thanks to Ramiro for emailing me about the htmldjango and django filetypes.

Thanks to Seth Mason for sending me a patch to fix some pathing issues for the
help doc installation.

Thanks to Stefano Zacchiroli for emailing me with the debcontrol and
debchangelog filetypes.

Thanks to Alex Tarkovsky for emailing me about the ebuild and eclass
filetypes.

Cheers to myself for being the best looking man on Earth!
=== END_DOC
" vim: set foldmethod=marker :
