How to Use the Command 'bob' (with examples)

The bob command is a tool used to manage and switch between different versions of Neovim. It allows users to easily install, list, uninstall, and roll back to specific versions of Neovim. This article will provide examples for each of these use cases to help users effectively utilize the bob command.

Use case 1: Install and switch to the specified version of Neovim

Code:

bob use <version_reference>

Motivation:

This use case is useful when you want to switch to a specific version of Neovim. It allows you to easily install and switch to a nightly, stable, latest version, or a specific version string or commit hash.

Explanation:

• <version_reference>: The reference to the desired version of Neovim. It can be any of the following options:
  • nightly: Install and switch to the nightly version.
  • stable: Install and switch to the stable version.
  • latest: Install and switch to the latest version available.
  • version_string: Install and switch to a specific version string.
  • commit_hash: Install and switch to a specific commit hash.

Example output:

$ bob use nightly
Switching to nightly version...
Nightly version installed and set as the current version.

Use case 2: List installed and currently used versions of Neovim

Code:

bob list

Motivation:

This use case is helpful when you want to check which versions of Neovim are currently installed and which version is currently being used.

Explanation:

This command has no arguments. It simply lists the installed versions of Neovim and indicates the currently used version.

Example output:

$ bob list
Installed versions:
- stable
- 0.5.0
Currently used version: 0.5.0

Use case 3: Uninstall the specified version of Neovim

Code:

bob uninstall <version_reference>

Motivation:

When you no longer need a specific version of Neovim, this use case allows you to easily uninstall it.

Explanation:

• <version_reference>: The reference to the version of Neovim to be uninstalled. It can be any of the following options:
  • nightly: Uninstall the nightly version.
  • stable: Uninstall the stable version.
  • latest: Uninstall the latest version.
  • version_string: Uninstall a specific version string.
  • commit_hash: Uninstall a specific commit hash.

Example output:

$ bob uninstall 0.5.0
Uninstalling version 0.5.0...
Version 0.5.0 successfully uninstalled.

Use case 4: Uninstall Neovim and erase any changes bob has made

Code:

bob erase

Motivation:

When you want to completely remove Neovim and any changes made by the bob command, this use case comes in handy. It erases all traces of bob and ensures a clean removal.

Explanation:

This command has no arguments. It uninstalls Neovim, erases any changes made by bob, and removes all associated files.

Example output:

$ bob erase
Erasing Neovim and all changes made by bob...
Neovim successfully uninstalled and all changes erased.

Use case 5: Roll back to a previous nightly version

Code:

bob rollback

Motivation:

If you have switched to a nightly version of Neovim and encounter issues or bugs, this use case allows you to easily roll back to a previous nightly version.

Explanation:

This command has no arguments. It finds the previous version of the nightly build installed by bob and switches to it.

Example output:

$ bob rollback
Rolling back to the previous nightly version...
Successfully rolled back to the previous nightly version.

Conclusion:

The bob command provides a convenient way to manage and switch between different versions of Neovim. With its various use cases, users can easily install, list, uninstall, and roll back to specific versions. This flexibility allows for efficient Neovim version management, catering to different user needs and preferences.