From: Ned Konz <ned@...>
Date: 2001-07-20T10:47:13+09:00
Subject: [ruby-talk:18159] Ruby integration with Vim editor?

I know that Vim 6.0 can be built with a Ruby interpreter installed. Its 
interface appears to be able to run arbitrary commands. I have tried the 
Perl interface, which seems very similar. It appears that one cannot make 
session-wide changes to the Perl environment (for instance, loading a 
module in one :perl command and then using it in another).

Is the Ruby interface similar?

Anyway, I was wondering whether anyone has yet hooked up the Ruby
debugger to Vim to allow one to follow program execution in a debugger
session using Vim. I think Emacs is able to do this (I saw a comment
in the Ruby debugger source about Emacs).

I doubt that it would require very much Ruby to do this, as it would 
require file input and output. The (possible) inability to load modules or 
set global variables may get in the way. However, at least on some systems
it may be possible to use a named pipe or pseudo-tty to communicate
between the debugger session and Vim, so that multiple file opens and
closes won't interrupt the communications.

What I see happening:
* one would map keystrokes to debugger commands in Vim so that hitting
a character or entering a command line would pass that character or command
to the Ruby debugger session.
* line number information (which would have to be present for Emacs) would
then be used to update the current-line position.
* a break would be passed through to the debugger (perhaps using a signal).

Is this possible?

Has this been done?

Thanks,