${(W)…}: Word count, including empty words

W used together with #name counts words in arrays or string. Contrary to (w), it also counts empty words.

Flag (s) can be used to define the word delimiter.

Links

• Zsh manual on parameter expansion flags

Examples

Count words, including empty words

1 2 3

string="string-with---several-words" echo "With empty words: ${(Ws:-:)#string}" echo "Without empty words: ${(ws:-:)#string}"

Output:

1 2	With empty words: 6 Without empty words: 4