Using variable in vim key mappings

Question

How can I use a variable when mapping keys in vim? The specific problem that I am trying to solve is the following. I need these key mappings:

nnoremap <C-1> 1gt
nnoremap <C-2> 2gt
nnoremap <C-3> 3gt

... and so on.

Can I specify one mapping; something like

nnoremap <C-x> xgt

where x takes the value of the key pressed (which can be from 1..9)

Thank you.

Edit 1: Towards the solution (not yet complete) thanks to Peter Rincker

I can use the function

function gotoTab(num)
   execute "normal" a:num."gt"
endfunction

If I :call goToTab(3) , it goes to tab 3.

How do I map Command-x (Dx) to goToTab(x) where x is between 1..9. How do I read the number from a Command-x press?

Answer 1

I got bad news. You can not map <c-1> , etc. You can only bind <c-6> which I wouldn't do as it is very handy.

It also seems like you are doing a heavily tab centric workflow. I know it might sound weird but maybe use less tab panes and more buffers. Here are some nice posts about it:

• Why do Vim experts prefer buffers over tabs?
• Use buffers effectively!

... Ok, but I really want to do this variable mapping thing. You have options:

• Use a for loop and use :execute to create mappings
• The more Vim Way is to use a count so 7gt . The 7 is the count.

Example of using :for and :execute :

for i in range(1, 9)
  execute "nnoremap \<d-" . i . "> " . i . "gt"
endfor

Note: this uses <d-...> syntax for Command which is only available on MacVim and no terminal support (See :h <D- ). You can use <a-...> for Alt. However I must warn you using Alt on the terminal can be tricky.

For more help see:

:h keycodes
:h map-which-keys
:h :for
:h :exe
:h count
:h v:count
:h range(