Vim: Vimscript to call netrw command

Question

This is a followup (but a distinct question) to this question, which I'll reiterate here for completion.

I have a Vim mapping to start searching (ack-grep with ack.vim plugin) for a pattern from the directory that is the current directory (so the result after :pwd). This mapping works when I'm looking at a buffer.

I want to use the same mapping while I'm in netrw. But, I want to change the current directory (:pwd) to the directory netrw is showing me, so the search will be started from the directory I'm looking at. I know I can do this with the netrw c command. How do I give the c command from within a function?

I've tried:

function! StartAckSearch()
    " If we're in netrw change the current directory to the directory we're
    " viewing
    if &ft ==# 'netrw'
        echo 'in netrw'
        c                                                                                                                                                                                                        
    endif
endfunction
nnoremap <Leader>a :call StartAckSearch()<CR>

And:

I've tried:

function! StartAckSearch()
    " If we're in netrw change the current directory to the directory we're
    " viewing
    if &ft ==# 'netrw'
        echo 'in netrw'
        execute 'c'                                                                                                                                                                                                        
    endif
endfunction
nnoremap <Leader>a :call StartAckSearch()<CR>

But they both don't work.

Question How do I call a netrw command using Vimscript? (If my question can be rephrased to be clearer, please go ahead)

Answer 1

I think you can use norm c to call it.

Another way is exe 'norm c'