How to enable syntax highlighting in vi while using the global command?

Question

Opening a file with vi nicely highlights its contents.

However, I want to view the file with all lines containing clock_gettime hidden. By using the global command :g!/clock_gettime I get the required output but it loses all syntax highlighting.

Is there a way to view only a set of lines matching (or not matching) the given expression in a way that all visible content is also properly highlighted?

Answer 1

If it's only a matter of viewing those lines with highlighting, you could do :g/clock_gettime/d

This will actually delete the lines in your editor. When you're done viewing, just do :q! so you won't actually delete the lines from the file.