How can I close a buffer without closing the window?

Question

Vim\'s multilayered views (Windows, Buffers and Tabs) left me a little confused. Let\'s say I split the display (:sp) and then select a different buffer to display in each w

Answer 1

Here is a very readable vimscript function, which handles all cases well,

• behave similar to built-in:bd (if only one window, just invoke it!),
  • issue a warning and do nothing if buffer modifed.
  • if no other buffer, create one, via :enew.
  • if alternate buffer exist and in buffer-list, switch to it, else go next, via:bn.
• more reasonable behavior for multiple-window layout
  • not closing any window,
  • always stay on the original window.
  • for each window that displays current buffer, do as listed above, then delete old current buffer.

nnoremap b :call DeleteCurBufferNotCloseWindow()

func! DeleteCurBufferNotCloseWindow() abort
    if &modified
        echohl ErrorMsg
        echom "E89: no write since last change"
        echohl None
    elseif winnr('$') == 1
        bd
    else  " multiple window
        let oldbuf = bufnr('%')
        let oldwin = winnr()
        while 1   " all windows that display oldbuf will remain open
            if buflisted(bufnr('#'))
                b#
            else
                bn
                let curbuf = bufnr('%')
                if curbuf == oldbuf
                    enew    " oldbuf is the only buffer, create one
                endif
            endif
            let win = bufwinnr(oldbuf)
            if win == -1
                break
            else        " there are other window that display oldbuf
                exec win 'wincmd w'
            endif
        endwhile
        " delete oldbuf and restore window to oldwin
        exec oldbuf 'bd'
        exec oldwin 'wincmd w'
    endif
endfunc