A quick word count plugin for Vim, perfect for adding to your statusline
$ mkdir -p $HOME/.vim/bundle
$ git clone https://github.com/ChesleyTan/wordCount.vim $HOME/.vim/bundle/wordCount.vim
set runtimepath+=$HOME/.vim/bundle/wordCount.vim
This plugin provides the function wordCount#WordCount() which returns a count of the number of words in the buffer (or in the directly preceding visual selection), as well as the command WordCount which prints out the word count.
For a word count of a visual selection, you must make your selection, escape visual mode, and call the word count function or command before moving your cursor in normal mode. Because Vim does not have an autocmd event for Visual enter/exit, this plugin can only be informed of the current mode when the cursor moves. Therefore, a word count of a visual selection can only be done if the cursor is moved while in visual mode.
The conservative updating option g:wc_conservative_update forces the plugin to only update the word count when one of the following events occurs:
- Vim leaves insert mode
- A change is made in normal mode
- A new buffer is opened
This is useful if you plan to add the word count to your statusline.
This can be done simply with set statusline+=%{wordCount#WordCount()}