vim nmap which disables another nmap

Question

In my .vimrc I have these lines

nmap :s :update<cr>
nmap <F5> :set number!<cr>

Without the former mapping, the latter works, otherwise it doesn't. Why is this the case?

Answer 1

The problem is that the second mapping begins in a way, :s in :set, that triggers the previous mapping.

In general you should use non-recursive mappings, unless you have a reason to use recursive mappings.

In this case, you have to use

nnoremap :s :update<cr>
nnoremap <F5> :set number!<cr>

More info at

• :help recursive_mapping
• What is the difference between the remap, noremap, nnoremap and vnoremap mapping commands in Vim?
• Recursive mappings - Vim Tips Wiki
• Learn Vimscript the Hard Way - Chapter 5