Question

Basically, I’m editing files that have include file names and I want a quick way of opening the file without having to type the path/filename:

include('inc/doctype.inc.php');

Is there an easy way to do this? (Ideally, I’d like to use :tabnew to open the file in a new tab.)

Thanks.

Answer 1

Use the gf shortcut. Move your cursor on a path string, the exact cursor position is not important and then press gf in normal mode. gf stands for “goto file”.
See vims help page with :h gf:

Uses the ‘isfname‘ option to find out which characters
are supposed to be in a file name. Trailing
punctuation characters “.,:;!” are ignored.
Uses the ‘path‘ option as a list of directory names
to look for the file. Also looks for the file
relative to the current file.
Uses the ‘suffixesadd‘ option to check for file names
with a suffix added.
If the file can’t be found, ‘includeexpr‘ is used to
modify the name and another attempt is done.

To get back, use Ctrl-o in normal mode.
Note: This command brings the cursor position to older positions in the jump list. The opposite command is Ctrl-i which brings the cursor to newer positions in the jump list.