# Vint > Vimscript linter **Wikidata**: [Q116265128](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116265128) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vint ## Summary Vint (also known as vim-vint) is a linting tool designed specifically for Vimscript, the scripting language used by the Vim text editor. Written in Python and released as free software under the MIT License, it helps developers analyze their code to identify errors and enforce style guidelines. The project was created by Yuki Kokubun and began development in July 2014. ## Key Facts - **Entity Type**: Linting tool (Software) - **Primary Function**: Static code analysis and quality assurance for Vimscript - **Author**: Yuki Kokubun - **Programming Language**: Python - **License**: MIT License - **Inception Date**: July 27, 2014 - **Latest Preferred Version**: 0.3.19 (released June 29, 2018) - **Package Name**: `vim-vint` (PyPI), `python-vim-vint` (openSUSE) - **Source Repository**: https://github.com/Vimjas/vint - **Key Dependencies**: PyYAML, chardet, Setuptools, ansicolors, enum34, pathlib, typing ## FAQs ### Q: What programming language is Vint written in? A: Vint is written in Python, making it easy to install and run on most systems that support Python. ### Q: What is the purpose of Vint? A: Vint is used to lint Vimscript. It checks the code for stylistic errors and potential bugs to ensure quality assurance. ### Q: Is Vint free to use? A: Yes, Vint is classified as free software and is distributed under the MIT License. ### Q: When was Vint created? A: The project was initiated on July 27, 2014. ## Why It Matters Vimscript is the core extension language for Vim, one of the most enduring and widely used text editors in software development history. As Vim configurations and plugins become more complex, the need for robust code quality tools increases. Vint addresses this need by providing a specialized static analysis tool that checks Vimscript for errors and style violations, a capability not offered by general-purpose linters. By automating the review process, Vint helps plugin authors and users prevent common bugs and maintain clean, readable code. Its implementation in Python ensures cross-platform compatibility and ease of installation via PyPI. This lowers the barrier to entry for developers who want to ensure their Vim environments are robust. As an open-source project maintained under the MIT License, it encourages community contribution and transparency, playing a vital role in the modern Vim ecosystem by standardizing code quality practices. ## Notable For - **Specialization**: Unlike general linters, Vint is specifically engineered to parse and analyze Vimscript. - **Language**: It is notable for being implemented in Python, differing from tools often written in the native language they lint (Vimscript). - **Licensing**: Distributed under the permissive MIT License, allowing broad commercial and private use. - **Extensibility**: Built upon the Setuptools library, facilitating standard Python packaging and distribution. - **Testing Integration**: Explicitly supports unit testing workflows through dependencies like `pytest` and `pytest-cov`. ## Body ### Development History Vint was created by Yuki Kokubun, with its inception date recorded as July 27, 2014. The project is hosted on GitHub under the organization "Vimjas." Development has been active since its creation, with version 0.0.0 and 0.1.0 both released on November 2, 2014. The software received numerous updates over the following years. The version history indicates a preference for the 0.3.x branch for stable releases, with version **0.3.19** marked as the preferred release as of June 29, 2018. A subsequent alpha version, **0.4a1**, was also released on the same date. ### Technical Specifications Vint operates as a command-line executable (Repology project name: `vint`). It is classified as both "lint" software and "free software." To function, the tool requires a Python environment and relies on several software libraries to manage its operations, including: - **Parsing**: `chardet` (character encoding detection) and `PyYAML` (YAML parsing). - **Interface**: `ansicolors` and `ansicolor` (terminal color output). - **Environment**: `Setuptools`, `pathlib`, `enum34`, and `typing`. ### Distribution and Availability The tool is widely accessible through standard software channels. It is available as a project on the Python Package Index (PyPI) under the name `vim-vint`. Additionally, it is packaged for specific operating systems, such as openSUSE, where it is listed as `python-vim-vint`. The source code is publicly available for audit and contribution, with official references pointing to the GitHub repository. The tool is designated as copyrighted software, distinct from the public domain, but freely licensed. ## References 1. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/tag/v0.0.0) 2. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/tag/v0.1.0) 3. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.19) 4. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.4a1) 5. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.15) 6. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.13) 7. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.12) 8. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.11) 9. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.10) 10. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.9) 11. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.8) 12. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.7) 13. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.6) 14. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.5) 15. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.4) 16. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.3) 17. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.2) 18. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.1) 19. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.3.0) 20. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.2.4) 21. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.2.3) 22. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.2.2) 23. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.2.1) 24. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.2.0) 25. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.1.7) 26. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.1.6) 27. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.1.5) 28. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.1.4) 29. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.1.3) 30. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.1.2) 31. [Source](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/releases/v0.1.1) 32. [git repository](https://github.com/Vimjas/vint/commit/befe568bdfa29351eb1ab63bb51ffdda971d0dbb)