VIM: store output of external command into a register

Is it possible to run an external command and store its output in a register?

• :redir works for ex commands, not for external开发者_JAVA技巧 commands (afaik)
• :r ! runs the external command but directly inserts output into the current buffer

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Found the answer thanks to a user on the vim-use mailing list:

:let @a = system("ls -l")

To run a command with the file under the cursor as argument:

:let @a = system("ls -l " . shellescape(expand('<cfile>')))

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:redir does seem to work, though a little clunky. If you're looking to pipe data from your file into the external command it may be easier.

:redir @a
:w ! ls -1
:redir END
"ap

EDIT: Interestingly, I just noted that it seems to be working for me in neovim v0.4.3 but not in vim 8.2.100 (MacOS 10.15.2, both installed via homebrew).