Fugue at 17:48, 12 August 2025

2025-08-12T17:48:07Z

Noodlebrains: Created page with "By (ab)using the `sortgroups` option, you can split all the listed files into two groups - one containing items with a `.` prefix, and one containing all..."

2023-12-09T18:36:35Z

Created page with "By (ab)using the <code>sortgroups</code> option, you can split all the listed files into two groups - one containing items with a <code>.</code> prefix, and one containing all..."

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By (ab)using the <code>sortgroups</code> option, you can split all the listed files into two groups - one containing items with a <code>.</code> prefix, and one containing all the other items.
<source lang="vim">
" Show dotfiles/dotdirs in the first place
set dotfiles

set sortgroups='(|\.).*'

set sort=+groups,+dir,+name
</source>

=== Explanation ===

The <code>sortgroups</code> option is used to select parts of each filename via regex group matches, and use those parts as sorting keys.

In the regex <code>(|\.).*</code>, the group <code>(|\.)</code> matches either an empty string, or the literal <code>.</code> character; the <code>.*</code> part matches the rest of the filename. So our group match is either an empty string, or a single <code>.</code> character; the filenames are then sorted into two groups based on which one it is.

We then set the <code>sort</code> option. Vifm will first sort the files according to the two groups generated by <code>sortgroups</code>, then sort directories above files, then sort alphabetically.

Ultimately, we get the following order - directories, files, dotdirs, dotfiles. By changing the sort order of any of the options (changing <code>+</code> to <code>-</code> in the <code>sort</code> option), the ordering can be varied while keeping the grouping.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:48, 12 August 2025
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	We then set the <code>sort</code> option. Vifm will first sort the files according to the two groups generated by <code>sortgroups</code>, then sort directories above files, then sort alphabetically.		We then set the <code>sort</code> option. Vifm will first sort the files according to the two groups generated by <code>sortgroups</code>, then sort directories above files, then sort alphabetically.

−	Ultimately, we get the following order - directories, files, dotdirs, dotfiles. By changing the sort order of any of the options (changing <code>+</code> to <code>-</code> in the <code>sort</code> option), the ordering can be varied while keeping the grouping.	+	Ultimately, we get the following order - directories, files, dotdirs, dotfiles. By changing the sort order of any of the options (changing <code>+</code> to <code>-</code> in the <code>sort</code> option), the ordering can be varied while keeping the grouping. For example, <source lang="vim">set sort=-groups,+dir,+name</source> will present as dotdirs, dotfiles, directories, files.

Sort dotfiles/dotdirs separately from other files/directories - Revision history

Fugue at 17:48, 12 August 2025

Noodlebrains: Created page with "By (ab)using the sortgroups option, you can split all the listed files into two groups - one containing items with a . prefix, and one containing all..."

Noodlebrains: Created page with "By (ab)using the `sortgroups` option, you can split all the listed files into two groups - one containing items with a `.` prefix, and one containing all..."