Vim function to insert a Python import if it hasn't been imported yet

Question

I currently have a Vim function that will wrap selected text within a time.time() block so that I can quickly time things.

I would like for the function to also go to the top of the file, check if import time exists or not, and insert import time only if it doesn't exist already.

Is there any way to check if text exists or not in Vim?

Answer 1

This is what I currently have. It works, but please do post your own solution if you have something better!

Also, note that the line that has the ^M is formed by pressing Ctrl-V and then the Enter button in insert mode (Stack Overflow doesn't copy it over very well).

" easily wrap the selected text in a time.time() statement for quick timing
fun! s:PythonTiming(line1, line2)

    " mark line one  &&  keep track of lines selected
    execute 'normal!' 'me'
    let l:numDiff = a:line2 - a:line1

    " start timing
    execute 'normal!' 'Ostart = time.time()'

    " end timing
    while line('.') < a:line2 + 1
        execute 'normal!' 'j'
    endwhile
    execute 'normal!' 'oend = time.time()'
    execute 'normal!' 'oprint; print("end - start: "); print(end - start)'

    " add the `import time` statement if not already imported
    let match = search('import time', 'nw')
    if match == 0
        silent! execute 'normal!' 'gg/import/^M'
        execute 'normal!' 'oimport time'
    endif

    " go back to the initial mark
    execute 'normal!' '`e'

endfun
command! -range Time :call s:PythonTiming(<line1>, <line2>)