Table of Contents Tip 60: Grok Vim's Registers Addressing a Register Vim's Terminology Versus the World References The Unnamed Register ("") References The Yank Register ("0) References The Named Register ("a-"z) References The Black Hole Register ("_) References The System Clipboard ("+) and Selection ("*) Registers References References The Expression Register ("=) References More Registers References References

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`"{register}`: specify a register

• `"_d{motion}`: true deletion

When we use the `y{motion}` command, the specified text is copied not only into the unnamed register but also into the yank register.

When we address a named register with a lowercase letter, it _overwrites_ the specified register, whereas when we use an uppercase letter, it _appends_ to the specified register.

| Keystrokes | Buffer Contents | | `"+` | The X11 clipboard, used with cut, copy, and paste | | `"*` | The X11 primary, used with middle mouse button |

Read-only registers:

| Register | Contents | | `"%` | Name of the current file | | `"#` | Name of the alternate file | | `".` | Last inserted text | | `":` | Last Ex command | | `"/` | Last search pattern |

The `"/` register can be set explicitly using the `:let` command.