Is it possible to not have the same buffer open in multiple windows?

Question

When we have a buffer open, and we open a new one with :split or :vsplit, if in any opened window we execute :bprev or :bnext, we could have the same buffer open at the same time in both windows.

Is there any option (if any I will try with a vimscript) to not have the same same buffer open in multiple windows (e.g. don't show it in the new window if it's already open in another one, all in the same tab) while cycling through buffer list ?

Answer 1

You need these following functions:

function! BetterBufferNext() abort

  for b in range(bufnr('%')+1, bufnr('$'))
    if buflisted(b) && bufwinnr(b)==-1
      exe "normal! :b".b."\<cr>"
      return
    endif
  endfor

  for b in range(1, bufnr('%')-1)
    if buflisted(b) && bufwinnr(b)==-1
      exe "normal! :b".b."\<cr>"
      return
    endif
  endfor

endfunction

function! BetterBufferPrev() abort

  for b in range(bufnr('%')-1, 1, -1)
    if buflisted(b) && bufwinnr(b)==-1
      exe "normal! :b".b."\<cr>"
      return
    endif
  endfor

  for b in range(bufnr('$'), bufnr('%')+1, -1)
    if buflisted(b) && bufwinnr(b)==-1
      exe "normal! :b".b."\<cr>"
      return
    endif
  endfor

endfunction

nnoremap <silent> <F7> :call BetterBufferPrev()<cr>
nnoremap <silent> <F8> :call BetterBufferNext()<cr>

Don't use my horrible provided mappings, use your own. Maybe something like [b and ]b. Or maybe even,

command! Bp call BetterBufferPrev()
command! Bn call BetterBufferNext()