Vim 80 column layout concerns

The way I do 80-column indication in Vim seems incorrect:set columns=80. At times I also set textwidth, but I want to be able to see and anticipate line overflow with the set columns alternative.

This has some unfortunate side effects:

I can't set number for fear of splitting between files that have different orders of line numbers; i.e. < 100 line files and >= 100 line files will require two different set columns values because of the extra column used for the additional digit display.
I also start new (g)Vim sessions instead of splitting windows vertically. This is because vsplit forces me to set columns every time I open or close a pane, so starting a new session is less hassle.

How do you handle the 80-character indication when you want to set numbers, vertically split, etc.?

Solution 1:

As of vim 7.3, you can use set colorcolumn=80 (set cc=80 for short).

Since earlier versions do not support this, my .vimrc uses instead:

if exists('+colorcolumn')
  set colorcolumn=80
else
  au BufWinEnter * let w:m2=matchadd('ErrorMsg', '\%>80v.\+', -1)
endif

See also the online documentation on the colorcolumn option.

Solution 2:

I have this set up in my .vimrc:

highlight OverLength ctermbg=red ctermfg=white guibg=#592929
match OverLength /\%81v.\+/

This highlights the background in a subtle red for text that goes over the 80 column limit (subtle in GUI mode, anyway - in terminal mode it's less so).

Solution 3:

Shorter way:

match ErrorMsg '\%>80v.\+'

Solution 4:

I prefer:

highlight ColorColumn ctermbg=gray
set colorcolumn=80

Solution 5:

Simon Howard's answer is great. But /\%81v.\+/ fails to highlight tabs that exceed column 81 . So I did a little tweak, based on the stuff I found on VIM wiki and HS's choice of colors above:

highlight OverLength ctermbg=darkred ctermfg=white guibg=#FFD9D9
match OverLength /\%>80v.\+/

And now VIM will highlight anything that exceeds column 80.