Vim close buffer but not split window

Like @RusAlex I don’t like plug-ins. I also like to know what code I enter actually does.

nmap ,d :b#<bar>bd#<CR>

In short this adds a key mapping to vim’s normal mode waiting for key sequence ,d. When executed this switches to a previously open buffer and attempts to delete the buffer you switched away from.

Deleting an off-screen buffer keeps the screen split as it is.

The command consists of three space-separated parts:

• nmap – add/change key mapping for mode normal
• ,d – key sequence to react to; first , (comma), then d
• :b#<bar>bd#<CR> – key sequence to execute

The command to be executed consists of five parts:

• : – switch vim to mode command-line
• b# – switch window to previously open buffer
• <bar> – expect a follow-up command; represents | (pipe character); used for chaining commands
• bd# – delete previously open buffer, i.e. the buffer just switched away from
• <CR> – execute command(s); represents carriage return, basically the keys Return or Enter

The command is in the format it is used in a configuration file like ~/.vimrc. If you want to add the mapping from within vim you prepend : (colon) – the mapping then will be lost when exiting vim:

:nmap ,d :b#<bar>bd#<CR>

When you open vim it is usually in normal mode as opposed to modes insert (indicated on the bottom of the screen by -- INSERT -- after pressing i), visual and so on. The n in nmap specifies the key mapping to be added to normal mode only. Find more on mappings here

Important notes:

• b# will switch to the current buffer if it is the only known buffer.
• b# may switch to a hidden/closed buffer, e.g. the one you just closed by pressing ,d.
• bd# will close the current buffer if it is the only known buffer unsplitting the screen leaving you with an empty buffer.
• bd# will fail if the buffer switched away from is a hidden/closed buffer.
• bd# will still unsplit if after switching another window shows the buffer to close.

Additional notes:

• :windo b# will switch all windows to the previously open buffer. Not sure how to combine with bd.
• <CR> can be left out in which case you have to manually press Return or Enter to execute.
• :nmap , displays all normal mode mappings starting with ,.
• :ls lists open buffers.