DOC HOME SITE MAP MAN PAGES GNU INFO SEARCH PRINT BOOK
 

oldterminfo(4)


oldterminfo -- SVR4 terminal capability data base

Synopsis

   /usr/share/lib/terminfo/?/*

Description

This manual page describes the UNIX® System V Release 4 terminfo database format used in prior versions of UnixWare. The default terminfo database format is described on terminfo(4) and complies with the X/Open Curses, Issue 4 Version 2 standard found in The Single UNIX® Specification, Version 2.

terminfo is a database produced by tic that describes the capabilities of devices such as terminals and printers. Devices are described in terminfo source files by specifying a set of capabilities, by quantifying certain aspects of the device, and by specifying character sequences that affect particular results. This database is often used by screen oriented applications such as vi and curses programs, as well as by some UNIX system commands such as ls and more. This usage allows them to work with a variety of devices without changes to the programs.

terminfo source files consist of one or more device descriptions. Each description consists of a header (beginning in column 1) and one or more lines that list the features for that particular device. Every line in a terminfo source file must end in a comma (``,''). Every line in a terminfo source file except the header must be indented with one or more white spaces (either spaces or tabs).

Entries in terminfo source files consist of a number of comma-separated fields. White space after each comma is ignored. Embedded commas must be escaped by using a backslash. The following example shows the format of a terminfo source file.

   alias[1] | alias[2] | . . . | alias[n] | longname,
   <white space> am, lines #24,
   <white space> home=\Eeh,

The first line, commonly referred to as the header line, must begin in column one and must contain at least two aliases separated by vertical bars. The last field in the header line must be the long name of the device and it may contain any string. Alias names must be unique in the terminfo database and they must conform to UNIX system file naming conventions [see tic(1M)]; they cannot, for example, contain white space or slashes.

Every device must be assigned a name, such as vt100. Device names (except the long name) should be chosen using the following conventions. The name should not contain hyphens because hyphens are reserved for use when adding suffixes that indicate special modes.

These special modes may be modes that the hardware can be in, or user preferences. To assign a special mode to a particular device, append a suffix consisting of a hyphen and an indicator of the mode to the device name. For example, the -w suffix means ``wide mode''; when specified, it allows for a width of 132 columns instead of the standard 80 columns. Therefore, if you want to use a vt100 device set to wide mode, name the device vt100-w. Use the following suffixes where possible.

  Suffix Meaning Example
  -w Wide mode (more than 80 columns) 5410-w
  -am With auto. margins (usually default) vt100-am
  -nam Without automatic margins vt100-nam
  -n Number of lines on the screen 2300-40
  -na No arrow keys (leave them in local) c100-na
  -np Number of pages of memory c100-4p
  -rv Reverse video 4415-rv

       Suffix   Meaning                                Example
       -w       Wide mode (more than 80 columns)       5410-w
       -am      With auto. margins (usually default)   vt100-am
       -nam     Without automatic margins              vt100-nam
       -n       Number of lines on the screen          2300-40
       -na      No arrow keys (leave them in local)    c100-na
       -np      Number of pages of memory              c100-4p
       -rv      Reverse video                          4415-rv

The terminfo reference manual page is organized in two sections: ``DEVICE CAPABILITIES'' and ``PRINTER CAPABILITIES.''

PART 1: DEVICE CAPABILITIES

Capabilities in terminfo are of three types: Boolean capabilities (which show that a device has or does not have a particular feature), numeric capabilities (which quantify particular features of a device), and string capabilities (which provide sequences that can be used to perform particular operations on devices).

In the following table, a Variable is the name by which a C programmer accesses a capability (at the terminfo level). A Capname is the short name for a capability specified in the terminfo source file. It is used by a person updating the source file and by the tput command. A Termcap Code is a two-letter sequence that corresponds to the termcap capability name. (Note that termcap is no longer supported.)

Capability names have no real length limit, but an informal limit of five characters has been adopted to keep them short. Whenever possible, capability names are chosen to be the same as or similar to those specified by the ANSI X3.64-1979 standard. Semantics are also intended to match those of the ANSI standard.

All string capabilities listed below may have padding specified, with the exception of those used for input. Input capabilities, listed under the ``Strings'' section in the following tables, have names beginning with key_. The ``#i'' symbol in the description field of the following tables refers to the ith parameter.

Booleans

  Cap- Termcap  
Variable name Code Description
auto_left_margin bw bw cub1 wraps from column 0 to
      last column
auto_right_margin am am Terminal has automatic margins
back_color_erase bce be Screen erased with background color
can_change ccc cc Terminal can re-define existing color
ceol_standout_glitch xhp xs Standout not erased by overwriting (hp)
col_addr_glitch xhpa YA Only positive motion for hpa/mhpa caps
cpi_changes_res cpix YF Changing character pitch changes
      resolution
cr_cancels_micro_mode crxm YB Using cr turns off micro mode

     

     
eat_newline_glitch xenl xn Newline ignored after 80 columns
      (Concept)
erase_overstrike eo eo Can erase overstrikes with a blank
generic_type gn gn Generic line type (e.g., dialup, switch)
hard_copy hc hc Hardcopy terminal
hard_cursor chts HC Cursor is hard to see
has_meta_key km km Has a meta key (shift, sets parity bit)
has_print_wheel daisy YC Printer needs operator to change
      character set
has_status_line hs hs Has extra ``status line''
hue_lightness_saturation hls hl Terminal uses only HLS color
      notation (Tektronix)
insert_null_glitch in in Insert mode distinguishes nulls
lpi_changes_res lpix YG Changing line pitch changes resolution
memory_above da da Display may be retained above the screen
memory_below db db Display may be retained below the screen
move_insert_mode mir mi Safe to move while in insert mode
move_standout_mode msgr ms Safe to move in standout modes
needs_xon_xoff nxon nx Padding won't work, xon/xoff required
no_esc_ctlc xsb xb Beehive (f1=escape, f2=ctrl C)
non_dest_scroll_region ndscr ND Scrolling region is
      nondestructive
non_rev_rmcup nrrmc NR smcup does not reverse rmcup
no_pad_char npc NP Pad character doesn't exist
over_strike os os Terminal overstrikes on hard-copy
      terminal
prtr_silent mc5i 5i Printer won't echo on screen
row_addr_glitch xvpa YD Only positive motion for vpa/mvpa caps
semi_auto_right_margin sam YE Printing in last column causes cr
status_line_esc_ok eslok es Escape can be used on the status line
dest_tabs_magic_smso xt xt Destructive tabs, magic smso char (t1061)
tilde_glitch hz hz Hazeltine; can't print tilde (~)
transparent_underline ul ul Underline character overstrikes
xon_xoff xon xo Terminal uses xon/xoff handshaking

                            Cap-    Termcap
 Variable                   name    Code      Description
 auto_left_margin           bw      bw        cub1 wraps from column 0 to
                                              last column
 auto_right_margin          am      am        Terminal has automatic margins
 back_color_erase           bce     be        Screen erased with background color
 can_change                 ccc     cc        Terminal can re-define existing color
 ceol_standout_glitch       xhp     xs        Standout not erased by overwriting (hp)
 col_addr_glitch            xhpa    YA        Only positive motion for hpa/mhpa caps
 cpi_changes_res            cpix    YF        Changing character pitch changes
                                              resolution
 cr_cancels_micro_mode      crxm    YB        Using cr turns off micro mode
 eat_newline_glitch         xenl    xn        Newline ignored after 80 columns
                                              (Concept)
 erase_overstrike           eo      eo        Can erase overstrikes with a blank
 generic_type               gn      gn        Generic line type (e.g., dialup, switch)
 hard_copy                  hc      hc        Hardcopy terminal
 hard_cursor                chts    HC        Cursor is hard to see
 has_meta_key               km      km        Has a meta key (shift, sets parity bit)
 has_print_wheel            daisy   YC        Printer needs operator to change
                                              character set
 has_status_line            hs      hs        Has extra ``status line''
 hue_lightness_saturation   hls     hl        Terminal uses only HLS color
                                              notation (Tektronix)
 insert_null_glitch         in      in        Insert mode distinguishes nulls
 lpi_changes_res            lpix    YG        Changing line pitch changes resolution
 memory_above               da      da        Display may be retained above the screen
 memory_below               db      db        Display may be retained below the screen
 move_insert_mode           mir     mi        Safe to move while in insert mode
 move_standout_mode         msgr    ms        Safe to move in standout modes
 needs_xon_xoff             nxon    nx        Padding won't work, xon/xoff required
 no_esc_ctlc                xsb     xb        Beehive (f1=escape, f2=ctrl C)
 non_dest_scroll_region     ndscr   ND        Scrolling region is
                                              nondestructive
 non_rev_rmcup              nrrmc   NR        smcup does not reverse rmcup
 no_pad_char                npc     NP        Pad character doesn't exist
 over_strike                os      os        Terminal overstrikes on hard-copy
                                              terminal
 prtr_silent                mc5i    5i        Printer won't echo on screen
 row_addr_glitch            xvpa    YD        Only positive motion for vpa/mvpa caps
 semi_auto_right_margin     sam     YE        Printing in last column causes cr
 status_line_esc_ok         eslok   es        Escape can be used on the status line
 dest_tabs_magic_smso       xt      xt        Destructive tabs, magic smso char (t1061)
 tilde_glitch               hz      hz        Hazeltine; can't print tilde (~)
 transparent_underline      ul      ul        Underline character overstrikes
 xon_xoff                   xon     xo        Terminal uses xon/xoff handshaking

Numbers

  Cap- Termcap  
Variable name Code Description
bit_image_entwining bitwin Yo Number of passes for each bit-map row
bit_image_type bitype Yp Type of bit image device
buffer_capacity bufsz Ya Number of bytes buffered before printing
buttons btns BT Number of buttons on the mouse
columns cols co Number of columns in a line
dot_vert_spacing spinv Yb Spacing of pins vertically in pins per inch
dot_horz_spacing spinh Yc Spacing of dots horizontally in dots per inch
init_tabs it it Tabs initially every # spaces
label_height lh lh Number of rows in each label
label_width lw lw Number of columns in each label
lines lines li Number of lines on a screen or a page
lines_of_memory lm lm Lines of memory if > lines; 0 means varies
magic_cookie_glitch xmc sg Number of blank characters left by
max_attributes ma ma Maximum combined video attributes terminal can display
      smso or rmso
max_colors colors Co Maximum number of colors on the screen
maximum_windows Wnum MW Maximum number of definable
      windows
max_micro_address maddr Yd Maximum value in micro_..._address
max_micro_jump mjump Ye Maximum value in parm_..._micro
max_pairs pairs pa Maximum number of color-pairs on the
      screen
micro_col_size mcs Yf Character step size when in micro mode
micro_line_size mls Yg Line step size when in micro mode
no_color_video ncv NC Video attributes that can't be used
      with colors
number_of_pins npins Yh Number of pins in print-head
num_labels nlab Nl Number of labels on screen (start at 1)
output_res_char orc Yi Horizontal resolution in units per character
output_res_line orl Yj Vertical resolution in units per line
output_res_horz_inch orhi Yk Horizontal resolution in units per inch
output_res_vert_inch orvi Yl Vertical resolution in units per inch
padding_baud_rate pb pb Lowest baud rate where padding needed
print_rate cps Ym Print rate in characters per
      inch
virtual_terminal vt vt Virtual terminal number (UNIX system)
wide_char_size widcs Yn Character step size when in double
      wide mode
width_status_line wsl ws Number of columns in status line

                        Cap-     Termcap
 Variable               name     Code      Description
 bit_image_entwining    bitwin   Yo        Number of passes for each bit-map row
 bit_image_type         bitype   Yp        Type of bit image device
 buffer_capacity        bufsz    Ya        Number of bytes buffered before printing
 buttons                btns     BT        Number of buttons on the mouse
 columns                cols     co        Number of columns in a line
 dot_vert_spacing       spinv    Yb        Spacing of pins vertically in pins per inch
 dot_horz_spacing       spinh    Yc        Spacing of dots horizontally in dots per inch
 init_tabs              it       it        Tabs initially every # spaces
 label_height           lh       lh        Number of rows in each label
 label_width            lw       lw        Number of columns in each label
 lines                  lines    li        Number of lines on a screen or a page
 lines_of_memory        lm       lm        Lines of memory if > lines; 0 means varies
 magic_cookie_glitch    xmc      sg        Number of blank characters left by
 max_attributes         ma       ma        Maximum combined video attributes terminal can display
                                           smso or rmso
 max_colors             colors   Co        Maximum number of colors on the screen
 maximum_windows        Wnum     MW        Maximum number of definable
                                           windows
 max_micro_address      maddr    Yd        Maximum value in micro_..._address
 max_micro_jump         mjump    Ye        Maximum value in parm_..._micro
 max_pairs              pairs    pa        Maximum number of color-pairs on the
                                           screen
 micro_col_size         mcs      Yf        Character step size when in micro mode
 micro_line_size        mls      Yg        Line step size when in micro mode
 no_color_video         ncv      NC        Video attributes that can't be used
                                           with colors
 number_of_pins         npins    Yh        Number of pins in print-head
 num_labels             nlab     Nl        Number of labels on screen (start at 1)
 output_res_char        orc      Yi        Horizontal resolution in units per character
 output_res_line        orl      Yj        Vertical resolution in units per line
 output_res_horz_inch   orhi     Yk        Horizontal resolution in units per inch
 output_res_vert_inch   orvi     Yl        Vertical resolution in units per inch
 padding_baud_rate      pb       pb        Lowest baud rate where padding needed
 print_rate             cps      Ym        Print rate in characters per
                                           inch
 virtual_terminal       vt       vt        Virtual terminal number (UNIX system)
 wide_char_size         widcs    Yn        Character step size when in double
                                           wide mode
 width_status_line      wsl      ws        Number of columns in status line

Strings

The following table lists the general string values. The strings sent by specific keys are listed in the ``Key Strings'' section following this one.

  Cap- Termcap  
Variable name Code Description
acs_chars acsc ac Graphic charset pairs aAbBcC
alt_scancode_esc scesca S8 Alternate escape for scancode emulation
      (default is for vt100)
back_tab cbt bt Back tab
bell bel bl Audible signal (bell)
bit_image_carriage_return bicr Yv Move to beginning of same row (use tparm)
bit_image_newline binel Zz Move to next row of the bit image (use tparm)
bit_image_repeat birep Zy Repeat bit-image cell #1 #2 times (use tparm)
carriage_return cr cr Carriage return
change_char_pitch cpi ZA Change number of characters per inch
change_line_pitch lpi ZB Change number of lines per inch
change_res_horz chr ZC Change horizontal resolution
change_res_vert cvr ZD Change vertical resolution
change_scroll_region csr cs Change to lines #1 through #2 (vt100)
char_padding rmp rP Like ip but when in replace mode
char_set_names csnm Zy List of character set names
clear_all_tabs tbc ct Clear all tab stops
clear_margins mgc MC Clear all margins (top, bottom,
      and sides)
clear_screen clear cl Clear screen and home cursor
clr_bol el1 cb Clear to beginning of line, inclusive
clr_eol el ce Clear to end of line
clr_eos ed cd Clear to end of display
code_set_init csin ci Init sequence for multiple codesets
color_names colornm Yw Give name for color #1
column_address hpa ch Horizontal position absolute
command_character cmdch CC Terminal settable cmd character
      in prototype
create_window cwin CW Define win #1 to go from #2, #3 to #4, #5
cursor_address cup cm Move to row #1 col #2
cursor_down cud1 do Down one line
cursor_home home ho Home cursor (if no cup)
cursor_invisible civis vi Make cursor invisible
cursor_left cub1 le Move left one space.
cursor_mem_address mrcup CM Memory relative cursor addressing
cursor_normal cnorm ve Make cursor appear normal
      (undo vs/vi)
cursor_right cuf1 nd Non-destructive space (cursor or
      carriage right)
cursor_to_ll ll ll Last line, first column (if no cup)
cursor_up cuu1 up Upline (cursor up)
cursor_visible cvvis vs Make cursor very visible
define_bit_image_region defbi Yx Define rectangular bit-image region
      (use tparm)
define_char defc ZE Define a character in a character set
delete_character dch1 dc Delete character
delete_line dl1 dl Delete line
device_type devt dv Indicate language/codeset support
dial_phone dial DI Dial phone number #1
dis_status_line dsl ds Disable status line
display_clock dclk DK Display time-of-day clock
display_pc_char dispc S1 Display PC character
down_half_line hd hd Half-line down (forward 1/2 linefeed)
ena_acs enacs eA Enable alternate character set
end_bit_image_region endbi Yy End a bit-image region (use tparm)
enter_alt_charset_mode smacs as Start alternate character set
enter_am_mode smam SA Turn on automatic margins
enter_blink_mode blink mb Turn on blinking
enter_bold_mode bold md Turn on bold (extra bright) mode
enter_ca_mode smcup ti String to begin programs that use cup
enter_delete_mode smdc dm Delete mode (enter)
enter_dim_mode dim mh Turn on half-bright mode
enter_doublewide_mode swidm ZF Enable double wide printing
enter_draft_quality sdrfq ZG Set draft quality print
enter_insert_mode smir im Insert mode (enter)
enter_italics_mode sitm ZH Enable italics
enter_leftward_mode slm ZI Enable leftward carriage motion
enter_micro_mode smicm ZJ Enable micro motion capabilities
enter_near_letter_quality snlq ZK Set near-letter quality print
enter_normal_quality snrmq ZL Set normal quality print
enter_pc_charset_mode smpch S2 Enter PC character display mode
enter_protected_mode prot mp Turn on protected mode
enter_reverse_mode rev mr Turn on reverse video mode
enter_scancode_mode smsc S4 Enter PC scancode mode
enter_secure_mode invis mk Turn on blank mode
      (characters invisible)
enter_shadow_mode sshm ZM Enable shadow printing
enter_standout_mode smso so Begin standout mode
enter_subscript_mode ssubm ZN Enable subscript printing
enter_superscript_mode ssupm ZO Enable superscript printing
enter_underline_mode smul us Start underscore mode
enter_upward_mode sum ZP Enable upward carriage motion
enter_xon_mode smxon SX Turn on xon/xoff handshaking
erase_chars ech ec Erase #1 characters
exit_alt_charset_mode rmacs ae End alternate character set
exit_am_mode rmam RA Turn off automatic margins
exit_attribute_mode sgr0 me Turn off all attributes
exit_ca_mode rmcup te String to end programs that use cup
exit_delete_mode rmdc ed End delete mode
exit_doublewide_mode rwidm ZQ Disable double wide printing
exit_insert_mode rmir ei End insert mode
exit_italics_mode ritm ZR Disable italics
exit_leftward_mode rlm ZS Enable rightward (normal)
      carriage motion
exit_micro_mode rmicm ZT Disable micro motion capabilities
exit_pc_charset_mode rmpch S3 Disable PC character display mode
exit_scancode_mode rmsc S5 Disable PC scancode mode
exit_shadow_mode rshm ZU Disable shadow printing
exit_standout_mode rmso se End standout mode
exit_subscript_mode rsubm ZV Disable subscript printing
exit_superscript_mode rsupm ZW Disable superscript printing
exit_underline_mode rmul ue End underscore mode
exit_upward_mode rum ZX Enable downward (normal)
      carriage motion
exit_xon_mode rmxon RX Turn off xon/xoff handshaking
fixed_pause pause PA Pause for 2-3 seconds
flash_hook hook fh Flash the switch hook
flash_screen flash vb Visible bell (may not move cursor)
form_feed ff ff Hardcopy terminal page eject
from_status_line fsl fs Return from status line
get_mouse getm Gm Curses should get button events
goto_window wingo WG Goto window #1
hangup hup HU Hang-up phone
init_1string is1 i1 Terminal or printer initialization string
init_2string is2 is Terminal or printer initialization string
init_3string is3 i3 Terminal or printer initialization string
init_file if if Name of initialization file
init_prog iprog iP Path name of program for initialization
initialize_color initc Ic Initialize the definition of color
initialize_pair initp Ip Initialize color-pair
insert_character ich1 ic Insert character
insert_line il1 al Add new blank line
insert_padding ip ip Insert pad after character inserted
keypad_local rmkx ke Out of ``keypad-transmit'' mode
keypad_xmit smkx ks Put terminal in ``keypad-transmit'' mode
lab_f0 lf0 l0 Labels on function key f0 if not f0
lab_f1 lf1 l1 Labels on function key f1 if not f1
lab_f10 lf10 la Labels on function key f10 if not f10
lab_f2 lf2 l2 Labels on function key f2 if not f2
lab_f3 lf3 l3 Labels on function key f3 if not f3
lab_f4 lf4 l4 Labels on function key f4 if not f4
lab_f5 lf5 l5 Labels on function key f5 if not f5
lab_f6 lf6 l6 Labels on function key f6 if not f6
lab_f7 lf7 l7 Labels on function key f7 if not f7
lab_f8 lf8 l8 Labels on function key f8 if not f8
lab_f9 lf9 l9 Labels on function key f9 if not f9
label_format fln Lf Label format
label_off rmln LF Turn off soft labels
label_on smln LO Turn on soft labels
meta_off rmm mo Turn off ``meta mode''
meta_on smm mm Turn on ``meta mode'' (8th bit)
micro_column_address mhpa ZY Like column_address for micro
      adjustment
micro_down mcud1 ZZ Like cursor_down for micro adjustment
micro_left mcub1 Za Like cursor_left for micro adjustment
micro_right mcuf1 Zb Like cursor_right for micro
      adjustment
micro_row_address mvpa Zc Like row_address for micro adjustment
micro_up mcuu1 Zd Like cursor_up for micro adjustment
mouse_info minfo Mi Mouse status information
newline nel nw Newline (behaves like cr followed
      by lf)
order_of_pins porder Ze Matches software bits to print-head pins
orig_colors oc oc Set all color(-pair)s to the original ones
orig_pair op op Set default color-pair to the original one
pad_char pad pc Pad character (rather than null)
parm_dch dch DC Delete #1 chars
parm_delete_line dl DL Delete #1 lines
parm_down_cursor cud DO Move down #1 lines.
parm_down_micro mcud Zf Like parm_down_cursor for micro
      adjust.
parm_ich ich IC Insert #1 blank chars
parm_index indn SF Scroll forward #1 lines.
parm_insert_line il AL Add #1 new blank lines
parm_left_cursor cub LE Move cursor left #1 spaces
parm_left_micro mcub Zg Like parm_left_cursor for micro
      adjust.
parm_right_cursor cuf RI Move right #1 spaces.
parm_right_micro mcuf Zh Like parm_right_cursor for micro
      adjust.
parm_rindex rin SR Scroll backward #1 lines.
parm_up_cursor cuu UP Move cursor up #1 lines.
parm_up_micro mcuu Zi Like parm_up_cursor for micro adjust.
pc_term_options pctrm S6 PC terminal options
pkey_key pfkey pk Prog funct key #1 to type string #2
pkey_local pfloc pl Prog funct key #1 to execute string #2
pkey_plab pfxl xl Prog key #1 to xmit string #2 and show string #3
pkey_xmit pfx px Prog funct key #1 to xmit string #2
plab_norm pln pn Prog label #1 to show string #2
print_screen mc0 ps Print contents of the screen
prtr_non mc5p pO Turn on the printer for #1 bytes
prtr_off mc4 pf Turn off the printer
prtr_on mc5 po Turn on the printer
pulse pulse PU Select pulse dialing
quick_dial qdial QD Dial phone number #1, without progress detection
remove_clock rmclk RC Remove time-of-day clock
repeat_char rep rp Repeat char #1 #2 times
req_for_input rfi RF Send next input char (for ptys)
req_mouse_pos reqmp RQ Request mouse position report
reset_1string rs1 r1 Reset terminal completely to sane modes
reset_2string rs2 r2 Reset terminal completely to sane modes
reset_3string rs3 r3 Reset terminal completely to sane modes
reset_file rf rf Name of file containing reset string
restore_cursor rc rc Restore cursor to position of last sc
row_address vpa cv Vertical position absolute
save_cursor sc sc Save cursor position
scancode_escape scesc S7 Escape for scancode emulation
scroll_forward ind sf Scroll text up
scroll_reverse ri sr Scroll text down
select_char_set scs Zj Select character set
set0_des_seq s0ds s0 Shift into codeset 0 (EUC set 0, ASCII)
set1_des_seq s1ds s1 Shift into codeset 1
set2_des_seq s2ds s2 Shift into codeset 2
set3_des_seq s3ds s3 Shift into codeset 3
set_a_background setab AB Set background color using ANSI escape
set_a_foreground setaf AF Set foreground color using ANSI escape
set_attributes sgr sa Define the video attributes #1-#9
set_background setb Sb Set current background color
set_bottom_margin smgb Zk Set bottom margin at current line
set_bottom_margin_parm smgbp Zl Set bottom margin at line #1 or #2
      lines from bottom
set_clock sclk SC Set time-of-day clock.
set_color_band setcolor Yz Change to ribbon color #1
set_color_pair scp sp Set current color-pair
set_foreground setf Sf Set current foreground color1
set_left_margin smgl ML Set left margin at current line
set_left_margin_parm smglp Zm Set left (right) margin at column #1 (#2)
set_lr_margin smglr ML Sets both left and right margins
set_page_length slines YZ Set page length to #1 lines (use tparm)
set_pglen_inch slength YI Set page length to #1 hundredths of an inch (use tparm)
set_right_margin smgr MR Set right margin at current column
set_right_margin_parm smgrp Zn Set right margin at column #1
set_tab hts st Set a tab in all rows, current column
set_tb_margin smgtb MT Sets both top and bottom margins
set_top_margin smgt Zo Set top margin at current line
set_top_margin_parm smgtp Zp Set top (bottom) margin at line #1 (#2)
set_window wind wi Current window is lines #1-#2 cols #3-#4
start_bit_image sbim Zq Start printing bit image graphics
start_char_set_def scsd Zr Start definition of a character set
stop_bit_image rbim Zs End printing bit image graphics
stop_char_set_def rcsd Zt End definition of a character set
subscript_characters subcs Zu List of ``subscript-able'' characters
superscript_characters supcs Zv List of ``superscript-able'' characters
tab ht ta Tab to next 8-space hardware tab stop
these_cause_cr docr Zw Printing any of these chars causes cr
to_status_line tsl ts Go to status line, col #1
tone tone TO Select touch tone dialing
underline_char uc uc Underscore one char and move past it
up_half_line hu hu Half-line up (reverse 1/2 linefeed)
user0 u0 u0 User string 0
user1 u1 u1 User string 1
user2 u2 u2 User string 2
user3 u3 u3 User string 3
user4 u4 u4 User string 4
user5 u5 u5 User string 5
user6 u6 u6 User string 6
user7 u7 u7 User string 7
user8 u8 u8 User string 8
user9 u9 u9 User string 9
wait_tone wait WA Wait for dial tone.
xoff_character xoffc XF X-off character
xon_character xonc XN X-on character
zero_motion zerom Zx No motion for the subsequent character

                             Cap-      Termcap
 Variable                    name      Code     Description
 acs_chars                   acsc      ac       Graphic charset pairs aAbBcC
 alt_scancode_esc            scesca    S8       Alternate escape for scancode emulation
                                                (default is for vt100)
 back_tab                    cbt       bt       Back tab
 bell                        bel       bl       Audible signal (bell)
 bit_image_carriage_return   bicr      Yv       Move to beginning of same row (use tparm)
 bit_image_newline           binel     Zz       Move to next row of the bit image (use tparm)
 bit_image_repeat            birep     Zy       Repeat bit-image cell #1 #2 times (use tparm)
 carriage_return             cr        cr       Carriage return
 change_char_pitch           cpi       ZA       Change number of characters per inch
 change_line_pitch           lpi       ZB       Change number of lines per inch
 change_res_horz             chr       ZC       Change horizontal resolution
 change_res_vert             cvr       ZD       Change vertical resolution
 change_scroll_region        csr       cs       Change to lines #1 through #2 (vt100)
 char_padding                rmp       rP       Like ip but when in replace mode
 char_set_names              csnm      Zy       List of character set names
 clear_all_tabs              tbc       ct       Clear all tab stops
 clear_margins               mgc       MC       Clear all margins (top, bottom,
                                                and sides)
 clear_screen                clear     cl       Clear screen and home cursor
 clr_bol                     el1       cb       Clear to beginning of line, inclusive
 clr_eol                     el        ce       Clear to end of line
 clr_eos                     ed        cd       Clear to end of display
 code_set_init               csin      ci       Init sequence for multiple codesets
 color_names                 colornm   Yw       Give name for color #1
 column_address              hpa       ch       Horizontal position absolute
 command_character           cmdch     CC       Terminal settable cmd character
                                                in prototype
 create_window               cwin      CW       Define win #1 to go from #2, #3 to #4, #5
 cursor_address              cup       cm       Move to row #1 col #2
 cursor_down                 cud1      do       Down one line
 cursor_home                 home      ho       Home cursor (if no cup)
 cursor_invisible            civis     vi       Make cursor invisible
 cursor_left                 cub1      le       Move left one space.
 cursor_mem_address          mrcup     CM       Memory relative cursor addressing
 cursor_normal               cnorm     ve       Make cursor appear normal
                                                (undo vs/vi)
 cursor_right                cuf1      nd       Non-destructive space (cursor or
                                                carriage right)
 cursor_to_ll                ll        ll       Last line, first column (if no cup)
 cursor_up                   cuu1      up       Upline (cursor up)
 cursor_visible              cvvis     vs       Make cursor very visible
 define_bit_image_region     defbi     Yx       Define rectangular bit-image region
                                                (use tparm)
 define_char                 defc      ZE       Define a character in a character set
 delete_character            dch1      dc       Delete character
 delete_line                 dl1       dl       Delete line
 device_type                 devt      dv       Indicate language/codeset support
 dial_phone                  dial      DI       Dial phone number #1
 dis_status_line             dsl       ds       Disable status line
 display_clock               dclk      DK       Display time-of-day clock
 display_pc_char             dispc     S1       Display PC character
 down_half_line              hd        hd       Half-line down (forward 1/2 linefeed)
 ena_acs                     enacs     eA       Enable alternate character set
 end_bit_image_region        endbi     Yy       End a bit-image region (use tparm)
 enter_alt_charset_mode      smacs     as       Start alternate character set
 enter_am_mode               smam      SA       Turn on automatic margins
 enter_blink_mode            blink     mb       Turn on blinking
 enter_bold_mode             bold      md       Turn on bold (extra bright) mode
 enter_ca_mode               smcup     ti       String to begin programs that use cup
 enter_delete_mode           smdc      dm       Delete mode (enter)
 enter_dim_mode              dim       mh       Turn on half-bright mode
 enter_doublewide_mode       swidm     ZF       Enable double wide printing
 enter_draft_quality         sdrfq     ZG       Set draft quality print
 enter_insert_mode           smir      im       Insert mode (enter)
 enter_italics_mode          sitm      ZH       Enable italics
 enter_leftward_mode         slm       ZI       Enable leftward carriage motion
 enter_micro_mode            smicm     ZJ       Enable micro motion capabilities
 enter_near_letter_quality   snlq      ZK       Set near-letter quality print
 enter_normal_quality        snrmq     ZL       Set normal quality print
 enter_pc_charset_mode       smpch     S2       Enter PC character display mode
 enter_protected_mode        prot      mp       Turn on protected mode
 enter_reverse_mode          rev       mr       Turn on reverse video mode
 enter_scancode_mode         smsc      S4       Enter PC scancode mode
 enter_secure_mode           invis     mk       Turn on blank mode
                                                (characters invisible)
 enter_shadow_mode           sshm      ZM       Enable shadow printing
 enter_standout_mode         smso      so       Begin standout mode
 enter_subscript_mode        ssubm     ZN       Enable subscript printing
 enter_superscript_mode      ssupm     ZO       Enable superscript printing
 enter_underline_mode        smul      us       Start underscore mode
 enter_upward_mode           sum       ZP       Enable upward carriage motion
 enter_xon_mode              smxon     SX       Turn on xon/xoff handshaking
 erase_chars                 ech       ec       Erase #1 characters
 exit_alt_charset_mode       rmacs     ae       End alternate character set
 exit_am_mode                rmam      RA       Turn off automatic margins
 exit_attribute_mode         sgr0      me       Turn off all attributes
 exit_ca_mode                rmcup     te       String to end programs that use cup
 exit_delete_mode            rmdc      ed       End delete mode
 exit_doublewide_mode        rwidm     ZQ       Disable double wide printing
 exit_insert_mode            rmir      ei       End insert mode
 exit_italics_mode           ritm      ZR       Disable italics
 exit_leftward_mode          rlm       ZS       Enable rightward (normal)
                                                carriage motion
 exit_micro_mode             rmicm     ZT       Disable micro motion capabilities
 exit_pc_charset_mode        rmpch     S3       Disable PC character display mode
 exit_scancode_mode          rmsc      S5       Disable PC scancode mode
 exit_shadow_mode            rshm      ZU       Disable shadow printing
 exit_standout_mode          rmso      se       End standout mode
 exit_subscript_mode         rsubm     ZV       Disable subscript printing
 exit_superscript_mode       rsupm     ZW       Disable superscript printing
 exit_underline_mode         rmul      ue       End underscore mode
 exit_upward_mode            rum       ZX       Enable downward (normal)
                                                carriage motion
 exit_xon_mode               rmxon     RX       Turn off xon/xoff handshaking
 fixed_pause                 pause     PA       Pause for 2-3 seconds
 flash_hook                  hook      fh       Flash the switch hook
 flash_screen                flash     vb       Visible bell (may not move cursor)
 form_feed                   ff        ff       Hardcopy terminal page eject
 from_status_line            fsl       fs       Return from status line
 get_mouse                   getm      Gm       Curses should get button events
 goto_window                 wingo     WG       Goto window #1
 hangup                      hup       HU       Hang-up phone
 init_1string                is1       i1       Terminal or printer initialization string
 init_2string                is2       is       Terminal or printer initialization string
 init_3string                is3       i3       Terminal or printer initialization string
 init_file                   if        if       Name of initialization file
 init_prog                   iprog     iP       Path name of program for initialization
 initialize_color            initc     Ic       Initialize the definition of color
 initialize_pair             initp     Ip       Initialize color-pair
 insert_character            ich1      ic       Insert character
 insert_line                 il1       al       Add new blank line
 insert_padding              ip        ip       Insert pad after character inserted
 keypad_local                rmkx      ke       Out of ``keypad-transmit'' mode
 keypad_xmit                 smkx      ks       Put terminal in ``keypad-transmit'' mode
 lab_f0                      lf0       l0       Labels on function key f0 if not f0
 lab_f1                      lf1       l1       Labels on function key f1 if not f1
 lab_f10                     lf10      la       Labels on function key f10 if not f10
 lab_f2                      lf2       l2       Labels on function key f2 if not f2
 lab_f3                      lf3       l3       Labels on function key f3 if not f3
 lab_f4                      lf4       l4       Labels on function key f4 if not f4
 lab_f5                      lf5       l5       Labels on function key f5 if not f5
 lab_f6                      lf6       l6       Labels on function key f6 if not f6
 lab_f7                      lf7       l7       Labels on function key f7 if not f7
 lab_f8                      lf8       l8       Labels on function key f8 if not f8
 lab_f9                      lf9       l9       Labels on function key f9 if not f9
 label_format                fln       Lf       Label format
 label_off                   rmln      LF       Turn off soft labels
 label_on                    smln      LO       Turn on soft labels
 meta_off                    rmm       mo       Turn off ``meta mode''
 meta_on                     smm       mm       Turn on ``meta mode'' (8th bit)
 micro_column_address        mhpa      ZY       Like column_address for micro
                                                adjustment
 micro_down                  mcud1     ZZ       Like cursor_down for micro adjustment
 micro_left                  mcub1     Za       Like cursor_left for micro adjustment
 micro_right                 mcuf1     Zb       Like cursor_right for micro
                                                adjustment
 micro_row_address           mvpa      Zc       Like row_address for micro adjustment
 micro_up                    mcuu1     Zd       Like cursor_up for micro adjustment
 mouse_info                  minfo     Mi       Mouse status information
 newline                     nel       nw       Newline (behaves like cr followed
                                                by lf)
 order_of_pins               porder    Ze       Matches software bits to print-head pins
 orig_colors                 oc        oc       Set all color(-pair)s to the original ones
 orig_pair                   op        op       Set default color-pair to the original one
 pad_char                    pad       pc       Pad character (rather than null)
 parm_dch                    dch       DC       Delete #1 chars
 parm_delete_line            dl        DL       Delete #1 lines
 parm_down_cursor            cud       DO       Move down #1 lines.
 parm_down_micro             mcud      Zf       Like parm_down_cursor for micro
                                                adjust.
 parm_ich                    ich       IC       Insert #1 blank chars
 parm_index                  indn      SF       Scroll forward #1 lines.
 parm_insert_line            il        AL       Add #1 new blank lines
 parm_left_cursor            cub       LE       Move cursor left #1 spaces
 parm_left_micro             mcub      Zg       Like parm_left_cursor for micro
                                                adjust.
 parm_right_cursor           cuf       RI       Move right #1 spaces.
 parm_right_micro            mcuf      Zh       Like parm_right_cursor for micro
                                                adjust.
 parm_rindex                 rin       SR       Scroll backward #1 lines.
 parm_up_cursor              cuu       UP       Move cursor up #1 lines.
 parm_up_micro               mcuu      Zi       Like parm_up_cursor for micro adjust.
 pc_term_options             pctrm     S6       PC terminal options
 pkey_key                    pfkey     pk       Prog funct key #1 to type string #2
 pkey_local                  pfloc     pl       Prog funct key #1 to execute string #2
 pkey_plab                   pfxl      xl       Prog key #1 to xmit string #2 and show string #3
 pkey_xmit                   pfx       px       Prog funct key #1 to xmit string #2
 plab_norm                   pln       pn       Prog label #1 to show string #2
 print_screen                mc0       ps       Print contents of the screen
 prtr_non                    mc5p      pO       Turn on the printer for #1 bytes
 prtr_off                    mc4       pf       Turn off the printer
 prtr_on                     mc5       po       Turn on the printer
 pulse                       pulse     PU       Select pulse dialing
 quick_dial                  qdial     QD       Dial phone number #1, without progress detection
 remove_clock                rmclk     RC       Remove time-of-day clock
 repeat_char                 rep       rp       Repeat char #1 #2 times
 req_for_input               rfi       RF       Send next input char (for ptys)
 req_mouse_pos               reqmp     RQ       Request mouse position report
 reset_1string               rs1       r1       Reset terminal completely to sane modes
 reset_2string               rs2       r2       Reset terminal completely to sane modes
 reset_3string               rs3       r3       Reset terminal completely to sane modes
 reset_file                  rf        rf       Name of file containing reset string
 restore_cursor              rc        rc       Restore cursor to position of last sc
 row_address                 vpa       cv       Vertical position absolute
 save_cursor                 sc        sc       Save cursor position
 scancode_escape             scesc     S7       Escape for scancode emulation
 scroll_forward              ind       sf       Scroll text up
 scroll_reverse              ri        sr       Scroll text down
 select_char_set             scs       Zj       Select character set
 set0_des_seq                s0ds      s0       Shift into codeset 0 (EUC set 0, ASCII)
 set1_des_seq                s1ds      s1       Shift into codeset 1
 set2_des_seq                s2ds      s2       Shift into codeset 2
 set3_des_seq                s3ds      s3       Shift into codeset 3
 set_a_background            setab     AB       Set background color using ANSI escape
 set_a_foreground            setaf     AF       Set foreground color using ANSI escape
 set_attributes              sgr       sa       Define the video attributes #1-#9
 set_background              setb      Sb       Set current background color
 set_bottom_margin           smgb      Zk       Set bottom margin at current line
 set_bottom_margin_parm      smgbp     Zl       Set bottom margin at line #1 or #2
                                                lines from bottom
 set_clock                   sclk      SC       Set time-of-day clock.
 set_color_band              setcolor  Yz       Change to ribbon color #1
 set_color_pair              scp       sp       Set current color-pair
 set_foreground              setf      Sf       Set current foreground color1
 set_left_margin             smgl      ML       Set left margin at current line
 set_left_margin_parm        smglp     Zm       Set left (right) margin at column #1 (#2)
 set_lr_margin               smglr     ML       Sets both left and right margins
 set_page_length             slines    YZ       Set page length to #1 lines (use tparm)
 set_pglen_inch              slength   YI       Set page length to #1 hundredths of an inch (use tparm)
 set_right_margin            smgr      MR       Set right margin at current column
 set_right_margin_parm       smgrp     Zn       Set right margin at column #1
 set_tab                     hts       st       Set a tab in all rows, current column
 set_tb_margin               smgtb     MT       Sets both top and bottom margins
 set_top_margin              smgt      Zo       Set top margin at current line
 set_top_margin_parm         smgtp     Zp       Set top (bottom) margin at line #1 (#2)
 set_window                  wind      wi       Current window is lines #1-#2 cols #3-#4
 start_bit_image             sbim      Zq       Start printing bit image graphics
 start_char_set_def          scsd      Zr       Start definition of a character set
 stop_bit_image              rbim      Zs       End printing bit image graphics
 stop_char_set_def           rcsd      Zt       End definition of a character set
 subscript_characters        subcs     Zu       List of ``subscript-able'' characters
 superscript_characters      supcs     Zv       List of ``superscript-able'' characters
 tab                         ht        ta       Tab to next 8-space hardware tab stop
 these_cause_cr              docr      Zw       Printing any of these chars causes cr
 to_status_line              tsl       ts       Go to status line, col #1
 tone                        tone      TO       Select touch tone dialing
 underline_char              uc        uc       Underscore one char and move past it
 up_half_line                hu        hu       Half-line up (reverse 1/2 linefeed)
 user0                       u0        u0       User string 0
 user1                       u1        u1       User string 1
 user2                       u2        u2       User string 2
 user3                       u3        u3       User string 3
 user4                       u4        u4       User string 4
 user5                       u5        u5       User string 5
 user6                       u6        u6       User string 6
 user7                       u7        u7       User string 7
 user8                       u8        u8       User string 8
 user9                       u9        u9       User string 9
 wait_tone                   wait      WA       Wait for dial tone.
 xoff_character              xoffc     XF       X-off character
 xon_character               xonc      XN       X-on character
 zero_motion                 zerom     Zx       No motion for the subsequent character

Key Strings

The ``key_'' strings are sent by specific keys. The ``key_'' descriptions include the macro, defined in curses.h, for the code returned by the curses routine getch when the key is pressed [see curs_getch(3ocurses)].

  Cap- Termcap  
Variable name Code Description
key_a1 ka1 K1 KEY_A1, upper left of keypad
key_a3 ka3 K3 KEY_A3, upper right of keypad
key_b2 kb2 K2 KEY_B2, center of keypad
key_backspace kbs kb KEY_BACKSPACE, sent by backspace key
key_beg kbeg @1 KEY_BEG, sent by beg(inning) key
key_btab kcbt kB KEY_BTAB, sent by back-tab key
key_c1 kc1 K4 KEY_C1, lower left of keypad
key_c3 kc3 K5 KEY_C3, lower right of keypad
key_cancel kcan @2 KEY_CANCEL, sent by cancel key
key_catab ktbc ka KEY_CATAB, sent by clear-all-tabs key
key_clear kclr kC KEY_CLEAR, sent by clear-screen or
erase key
key_close kclo @3 KEY_CLOSE, sent by close key
key_command kcmd @4 KEY_COMMAND, sent by cmd (command)
key
key_copy kcpy @5 KEY_COPY, sent by copy key
key_create kcrt @6 KEY_CREATE, sent by create key
key_ctab kctab kt KEY_CTAB, sent by clear-tab key
key_dc kdch1 kD KEY_DC, sent by delete-character key
key_dl kdl1 kL KEY_DL, sent by delete-line key
key_down kcud1 kd KEY_DOWN, sent by terminal
down-arrow key
key_eic krmir kM KEY_EIC, sent by rmir or smir in
insert mode
key_end kend @7 KEY_END, sent by end key
key_enter kent @8 KEY_ENTER, sent by enter/send key
key_eol kel kE KEY_EOL, sent by clear-to-end-of-line
key
key_eos ked kS KEY_EOS, sent by clear-to-end-of-screen
key
key_exit kext @9 KEY_EXIT, sent by exit key
key_f0 kf0 k0 KEY_F(0), sent by function key f0
key_f1 kf1 k1 KEY_F(1), sent by function key f1
key_f2 kf2 k2 KEY_F(2), sent by function key f2
key_f3 kf3 k3 KEY_F(3), sent by function key f3
key_f4 kf4 k4 KEY_F(4), sent by function key f4
key_f5 kf5 k5 KEY_F(5), sent by function key f5
key_f6 kf6 k6 KEY_F(6), sent by function key f6
key_f7 kf7 k7 KEY_F(7), sent by function key f7
key_f8 kf8 k8 KEY_F(8), sent by function key f8
key_f9 kf9 k9 KEY_F(9), sent by function key f9
key_f10 kf10 k; KEY_F(10), sent by function key f10
key_f11 kf11 F1 KEY_F(11), sent by function key f11
key_f12 kf12 F2 KEY_F(12), sent by function key f12
key_f13 kf13 F3 KEY_F(13), sent by function key f13
key_f14 kf14 F4 KEY_F(14), sent by function key f14
key_f15 kf15 F5 KEY_F(15), sent by function key f15
key_f16 kf16 F6 KEY_F(16), sent by function key f16
key_f17 kf17 F7 KEY_F(17), sent by function key f17
key_f18 kf18 F8 KEY_F(18), sent by function key f18
key_f19 kf19 F9 KEY_F(19), sent by function key f19
key_f20 kf20 FA KEY_F(20), sent by function key f20
key_f21 kf21 FB KEY_F(21), sent by function key f21
key_f22 kf22 FC KEY_F(22), sent by function key f22
key_f23 kf23 FD KEY_F(23), sent by function key f23
key_f24 kf24 FE KEY_F(24), sent by function key f24
key_f25 kf25 FF KEY_F(25), sent by function key f25
key_f26 kf26 FG KEY_F(26), sent by function key f26
key_f27 kf27 FH KEY_F(27), sent by function key f27
key_f28 kf28 FI KEY_F(28), sent by function key f28
key_f29 kf29 FJ KEY_F(29), sent by function key f29
key_f30 kf30 FK KEY_F(30), sent by function key f30
key_f31 kf31 FL KEY_F(31), sent by function key f31
key_f32 kf32 FM KEY_F(32), sent by function key f32
key_f33 kf33 FN KEY_F(13), sent by function key f13
key_f34 kf34 FO KEY_F(34), sent by function key f34
key_f35 kf35 FP KEY_F(35), sent by function key f35
key_f36 kf36 FN KEY_F(36), sent by function key f36
key_f37 kf37 FR KEY_F(37), sent by function key f37
key_f38 kf38 FS KEY_F(38), sent by function key f38
key_f39 kf39 FT KEY_F(39), sent by function key f39
key_f40 kf40 FU KEY_F(40), sent by function key f40
key_f41 kf41 FV KEY_F(41), sent by function key f41
key_f42 kf42 FW KEY_F(42), sent by function key f42
key_f43 kf43 FX KEY_F(43), sent by function key f43
key_f44 kf44 FY KEY_F(44), sent by function key f44
key_f45 kf45 FZ KEY_F(45), sent by function key f45
key_f46 kf46 Fa KEY_F(46), sent by function key f46
key_f47 kf47 Fb KEY_F(47), sent by function key f47
key_f48 kf48 Fc KEY_F(48), sent by function key f48
key_f49 kf49 Fd KEY_F(49), sent by function key f49
key_f50 kf50 Fe KEY_F(50), sent by function key f50
key_f51 kf51 Ff KEY_F(51), sent by function key f51
key_f52 kf52 Fg KEY_F(52), sent by function key f52
key_f53 kf53 Fh KEY_F(53), sent by function key f53
key_f54 kf54 Fi KEY_F(54), sent by function key f54
key_f55 kf55 Fj KEY_F(55), sent by function key f55
key_f56 kf56 Fk KEY_F(56), sent by function key f56
key_f57 kf57 Fl KEY_F(57), sent by function key f57
key_f58 kf58 Fm KEY_F(58), sent by function key f58
key_f59 kf59 Fn KEY_F(59), sent by function key f59
key_f60 kf60 Fo KEY_F(60), sent by function key f60
key_f61 kf61 Fp KEY_F(61), sent by function key f61
key_f62 kf62 Fq KEY_F(62), sent by function key f62
key_f63 kf63 Fr KEY_F(63), sent by function key f63
key_find kfnd @0 KEY_FIND, sent by find key
key_help khlp %1 KEY_HELP, sent by help key
key_home khome kh KEY_HOME, sent by home key
key_ic kich1 kI KEY_IC, sent by ins-char/enter
ins-mode key
key_il kil1 kA KEY_IL, sent by insert-line key
key_left kcub1 kl KEY_LEFT, sent by terminal left-arrow
key
key_ll kll kH KEY_LL, sent by home-down key
key_mark kmrk %2 KEY_MARK, sent by mark key
key_message kmsg %3 KEY_MESSAGE, sent by message key
key_mouse kmous Km Mouse event has occurred
key_move kmov %4 KEY_MOVE, sent by move key
key_next knxt %5 KEY_NEXT, sent by next-object key
key_npage knp kN KEY_NPAGE, sent by next-page key
key_open kopn %6 KEY_OPEN, sent by open key
key_options kopt %7 KEY_OPTIONS, sent by options key
key_ppage kpp kP KEY_PPAGE, sent by previous-page key
key_previous kprv %8 KEY_PREVIOUS, sent by previous-object
key
key_print kprt %9 KEY_PRINT, sent by print or copy key
key_redo krdo %0 KEY_REDO, sent by redo key
key_reference kref &1 KEY_REFERENCE, sent by ref(erence) key
key_refresh krfr &2 KEY_REFRESH, sent by refresh key
key_replace krpl &3 KEY_REPLACE, sent by replace key
key_restart krst &4 KEY_RESTART, sent by restart key
key_resume kres &5 KEY_RESUME, sent by resume key

     

     
key_right kcuf1 kr KEY_RIGHT, sent by terminal
right-arrow key
key_save ksav &6 KEY_SAVE, sent by save key
key_sbeg kBEG &9 KEY_SBEG, sent by shifted beginning key
key_scancel kCAN &0 KEY_SCANCEL, sent by shifted cancel key
key_scommand kCMD *1 KEY_SCOMMAND, sent by shifted
command key
key_scopy kCPY *2 KEY_SCOPY, sent by shifted copy key
key_screate kCRT *3 KEY_SCREATE, sent by shifted create key
key_sdc kDC *4 KEY_SDC, sent by shifted delete-char key
key_sdl kDL *5 KEY_SDL, sent by shifted delete-line key
key_select kslt *6 KEY_SELECT, sent by select key
key_send kEND *7 KEY_SEND, sent by shifted end key
key_seol kEOL *8 KEY_SEOL, sent by shifted clear-line key
key_sexit kEXT *9 KEY_SEXIT, sent by shifted exit key
key_sf kind kF KEY_SF, sent by scroll-forward/down
key
key_sfind kFND *0 KEY_SFIND, sent by shifted find key
key_shelp kHLP #1 KEY_SHELP, sent by shifted help key
key_shome kHOM #2 KEY_SHOME, sent by shifted home key
key_sic kIC #3 KEY_SIC, sent by shifted input key
key_sleft kLFT #4 KEY_SLEFT, sent by shifted left-arrow
key
key_smessage kMSG %a KEY_SMESSAGE, sent by shifted message
key
key_smove kMOV %b KEY_SMOVE, sent by shifted move key
key_snext kNXT %c KEY_SNEXT, sent by shifted next key
key_soptions kOPT %d KEY_SOPTIONS, sent by shifted options
key
key_sprevious kPRV %e KEY_SPREVIOUS, sent by shifted prev
key
key_sprint kPRT %f KEY_SPRINT, sent by shifted print key
key_sr kri kR KEY_SR, sent by scroll-backward/up
key
key_sredo kRDO %g KEY_SREDO, sent by shifted redo key
key_sreplace kRPL %h KEY_SREPLACE, sent by shifted replace
key
key_sright kRIT %i KEY_SRIGHT, sent by shifted
right-arrow key
key_srsume kRES %j KEY_SRSUME, sent by shifted resume
key
key_ssave kSAV !1 KEY_SSAVE, sent by shifted save key
key_ssuspend kSPD !2 KEY_SSUSPEND, sent by shifted suspend
key
key_stab khts kT KEY_STAB, sent by set-tab key
key_sundo kUND !3 KEY_SUNDO, sent by shifted undo key
key_suspend kspd &7 KEY_SUSPEND, sent by
suspend key
key_undo kund &8 KEY_UNDO, sent by undo key
key_up kcuu1 ku KEY_UP, sent by terminal up-arrow key

                   Cap-   Termcap
 Variable          name   Code     Description
 key_a1            ka1    K1       KEY_A1, upper left of keypad
 key_a3            ka3    K3       KEY_A3, upper right of keypad
 key_b2            kb2    K2       KEY_B2, center of keypad
 key_backspace     kbs    kb       KEY_BACKSPACE, sent by backspace key
 key_beg           kbeg   @1       KEY_BEG, sent by beg(inning) key
 key_btab          kcbt   kB       KEY_BTAB, sent by back-tab key
 key_c1            kc1    K4       KEY_C1, lower left of keypad
 key_c3            kc3    K5       KEY_C3, lower right of keypad
 key_cancel        kcan   @2       KEY_CANCEL, sent by cancel key
 key_catab         ktbc   ka       KEY_CATAB, sent by clear-all-tabs key
 key_clear         kclr   kC       KEY_CLEAR, sent by clear-screen or
                                   erase key
 key_close         kclo   @3       KEY_CLOSE, sent by close key
 key_command       kcmd   @4       KEY_COMMAND, sent by cmd (command)
                                   key
 key_copy          kcpy   @5       KEY_COPY, sent by copy key
 key_create        kcrt   @6       KEY_CREATE, sent by create key
 key_ctab          kctab  kt       KEY_CTAB, sent by clear-tab key
 key_dc            kdch1  kD       KEY_DC, sent by delete-character key
 key_dl            kdl1   kL       KEY_DL, sent by delete-line key
 key_down          kcud1  kd       KEY_DOWN, sent by terminal
                                   down-arrow key
 key_eic           krmir  kM       KEY_EIC, sent by rmir or smir in
                                   insert mode
 key_end           kend   @7       KEY_END, sent by end key
 key_enter         kent   @8       KEY_ENTER, sent by enter/send key
 key_eol           kel    kE       KEY_EOL, sent by clear-to-end-of-line
                                   key
 key_eos           ked    kS       KEY_EOS, sent by clear-to-end-of-screen
                                   key
 key_exit          kext   @9       KEY_EXIT, sent by exit key
 key_f0            kf0    k0       KEY_F(0), sent by function key f0
 key_f1            kf1    k1       KEY_F(1), sent by function key f1
 key_f2            kf2    k2       KEY_F(2), sent by function key f2
 key_f3            kf3    k3       KEY_F(3), sent by function key f3
 key_f4            kf4    k4       KEY_F(4), sent by function key f4
 key_f5            kf5    k5       KEY_F(5), sent by function key f5
 key_f6            kf6    k6       KEY_F(6), sent by function key f6
 key_f7            kf7    k7       KEY_F(7), sent by function key f7
 key_f8            kf8    k8       KEY_F(8), sent by function key f8
 key_f9            kf9    k9       KEY_F(9), sent by function key f9
 key_f10           kf10   k;       KEY_F(10), sent by function key f10
 key_f11           kf11   F1       KEY_F(11), sent by function key f11
 key_f12           kf12   F2       KEY_F(12), sent by function key f12
 key_f13           kf13   F3       KEY_F(13), sent by function key f13
 key_f14           kf14   F4       KEY_F(14), sent by function key f14
 key_f15           kf15   F5       KEY_F(15), sent by function key f15
 key_f16           kf16   F6       KEY_F(16), sent by function key f16
 key_f17           kf17   F7       KEY_F(17), sent by function key f17
 key_f18           kf18   F8       KEY_F(18), sent by function key f18
 key_f19           kf19   F9       KEY_F(19), sent by function key f19
 key_f20           kf20   FA       KEY_F(20), sent by function key f20
 key_f21           kf21   FB       KEY_F(21), sent by function key f21
 key_f22           kf22   FC       KEY_F(22), sent by function key f22
 key_f23           kf23   FD       KEY_F(23), sent by function key f23
 key_f24           kf24   FE       KEY_F(24), sent by function key f24
 key_f25           kf25   FF       KEY_F(25), sent by function key f25
 key_f26           kf26   FG       KEY_F(26), sent by function key f26
 key_f27           kf27   FH       KEY_F(27), sent by function key f27
 key_f28           kf28   FI       KEY_F(28), sent by function key f28
 key_f29           kf29   FJ       KEY_F(29), sent by function key f29
 key_f30           kf30   FK       KEY_F(30), sent by function key f30
 key_f31           kf31   FL       KEY_F(31), sent by function key f31
 key_f32           kf32   FM       KEY_F(32), sent by function key f32
 key_f33           kf33   FN       KEY_F(13), sent by function key f13
 key_f34           kf34   FO       KEY_F(34), sent by function key f34
 key_f35           kf35   FP       KEY_F(35), sent by function key f35
 key_f36           kf36   FN       KEY_F(36), sent by function key f36
 key_f37           kf37   FR       KEY_F(37), sent by function key f37
 key_f38           kf38   FS       KEY_F(38), sent by function key f38
 key_f39           kf39   FT       KEY_F(39), sent by function key f39
 key_f40           kf40   FU       KEY_F(40), sent by function key f40
 key_f41           kf41   FV       KEY_F(41), sent by function key f41
 key_f42           kf42   FW       KEY_F(42), sent by function key f42
 key_f43           kf43   FX       KEY_F(43), sent by function key f43
 key_f44           kf44   FY       KEY_F(44), sent by function key f44
 key_f45           kf45   FZ       KEY_F(45), sent by function key f45
 key_f46           kf46   Fa       KEY_F(46), sent by function key f46
 key_f47           kf47   Fb       KEY_F(47), sent by function key f47
 key_f48           kf48   Fc       KEY_F(48), sent by function key f48
 key_f49           kf49   Fd       KEY_F(49), sent by function key f49
 key_f50           kf50   Fe       KEY_F(50), sent by function key f50
 key_f51           kf51   Ff       KEY_F(51), sent by function key f51
 key_f52           kf52   Fg       KEY_F(52), sent by function key f52
 key_f53           kf53   Fh       KEY_F(53), sent by function key f53
 key_f54           kf54   Fi       KEY_F(54), sent by function key f54
 key_f55           kf55   Fj       KEY_F(55), sent by function key f55
 key_f56           kf56   Fk       KEY_F(56), sent by function key f56
 key_f57           kf57   Fl       KEY_F(57), sent by function key f57
 key_f58           kf58   Fm       KEY_F(58), sent by function key f58
 key_f59           kf59   Fn       KEY_F(59), sent by function key f59
 key_f60           kf60   Fo       KEY_F(60), sent by function key f60
 key_f61           kf61   Fp       KEY_F(61), sent by function key f61
 key_f62           kf62   Fq       KEY_F(62), sent by function key f62
 key_f63           kf63   Fr       KEY_F(63), sent by function key f63
 key_find          kfnd   @0       KEY_FIND, sent by find key
 key_help          khlp   %1       KEY_HELP, sent by help key
 key_home          khome  kh       KEY_HOME, sent by home key
 key_ic            kich1  kI       KEY_IC, sent by ins-char/enter
                                   ins-mode key
 key_il            kil1   kA       KEY_IL, sent by insert-line key
 key_left          kcub1  kl       KEY_LEFT, sent by terminal left-arrow
                                   key
 key_ll            kll    kH       KEY_LL, sent by home-down key
 key_mark          kmrk   %2       KEY_MARK, sent by mark key
 key_message       kmsg   %3       KEY_MESSAGE, sent by message key
 key_mouse         kmous  Km       Mouse event has occurred
 key_move          kmov   %4       KEY_MOVE, sent by move key
 key_next          knxt   %5       KEY_NEXT, sent by next-object key
 key_npage         knp    kN       KEY_NPAGE, sent by next-page key
 key_open          kopn   %6       KEY_OPEN, sent by open key
 key_options       kopt   %7       KEY_OPTIONS, sent by options key
 key_ppage         kpp    kP       KEY_PPAGE, sent by previous-page key
 key_previous      kprv   %8       KEY_PREVIOUS, sent by previous-object
                                   key
 key_print         kprt   %9       KEY_PRINT, sent by print or copy key
 key_redo          krdo   %0       KEY_REDO, sent by redo key
 key_reference     kref   &1       KEY_REFERENCE, sent by ref(erence) key
 key_refresh       krfr   &2       KEY_REFRESH, sent by refresh key
 key_replace       krpl   &3       KEY_REPLACE, sent by replace key
 key_restart       krst   &4       KEY_RESTART, sent by restart key
 key_resume        kres   &5       KEY_RESUME, sent by resume key
 key_right         kcuf1  kr       KEY_RIGHT, sent by terminal
                                   right-arrow key
 key_save          ksav   &6       KEY_SAVE, sent by save key
 key_sbeg          kBEG   &9       KEY_SBEG, sent by shifted beginning key
 key_scancel       kCAN   &0       KEY_SCANCEL, sent by shifted cancel key
 key_scommand      kCMD   *1       KEY_SCOMMAND, sent by shifted
                                   command key
 key_scopy         kCPY   *2       KEY_SCOPY, sent by shifted copy key
 key_screate       kCRT   *3       KEY_SCREATE, sent by shifted create key
 key_sdc           kDC    *4       KEY_SDC, sent by shifted delete-char key
 key_sdl           kDL    *5       KEY_SDL, sent by shifted delete-line key
 key_select        kslt   *6       KEY_SELECT, sent by select key
 key_send          kEND   *7       KEY_SEND, sent by shifted end key
 key_seol          kEOL   *8       KEY_SEOL, sent by shifted clear-line key
 key_sexit         kEXT   *9       KEY_SEXIT, sent by shifted exit key
 key_sf            kind   kF       KEY_SF, sent by scroll-forward/down
                                   key
 key_sfind         kFND   *0       KEY_SFIND, sent by shifted find key
 key_shelp         kHLP   #1       KEY_SHELP, sent by shifted help key
 key_shome         kHOM   #2       KEY_SHOME, sent by shifted home key
 key_sic           kIC    #3       KEY_SIC, sent by shifted input key
 key_sleft         kLFT   #4       KEY_SLEFT, sent by shifted left-arrow
                                   key
 key_smessage      kMSG   %a       KEY_SMESSAGE, sent by shifted message
                                   key
 key_smove         kMOV   %b       KEY_SMOVE, sent by shifted move key
 key_snext         kNXT   %c       KEY_SNEXT, sent by shifted next key
 key_soptions      kOPT   %d       KEY_SOPTIONS, sent by shifted options
                                   key
 key_sprevious     kPRV   %e       KEY_SPREVIOUS, sent by shifted prev
                                   key
 key_sprint        kPRT   %f       KEY_SPRINT, sent by shifted print key
 key_sr            kri    kR       KEY_SR, sent by scroll-backward/up
                                   key
 key_sredo         kRDO   %g       KEY_SREDO, sent by shifted redo key
 key_sreplace      kRPL   %h       KEY_SREPLACE, sent by shifted replace
                                   key
 key_sright        kRIT   %i       KEY_SRIGHT, sent by shifted
                                   right-arrow key
 key_srsume        kRES   %j       KEY_SRSUME, sent by shifted resume
                                   key
 key_ssave         kSAV   !1       KEY_SSAVE, sent by shifted save key
 key_ssuspend      kSPD   !2       KEY_SSUSPEND, sent by shifted suspend
                                   key
 key_stab          khts   kT       KEY_STAB, sent by set-tab key
 key_sundo         kUND   !3       KEY_SUNDO, sent by shifted undo key
 key_suspend       kspd   &7       KEY_SUSPEND, sent by
                                   suspend key
 key_undo          kund   &8       KEY_UNDO, sent by undo key
 key_up            kcuu1  ku       KEY_UP, sent by terminal up-arrow key

Sample Entry

The following entry, which describes the Wyse® 30 terminal, is among the more complex entries in the terminfo file as of this writing.
   # The following terminfo entries are directly from:
   #	Wyse Technology
   #	3571 North First Street
   #	San Jose, CA 95134
   #
   # WYSE
   wy30|wyse30|Wyse 30,
   	acsc=0wa_h[jukslrmqnxqzttuyv]wpxv, am, bel=^G, blink=\EG2, bw,
   	cbt=\EI, civis=\E`0, clear=\E*$<80>, cnorm=\E`1, cols#80, cr=^M,
   	cub1=^H, cud1=^J, cuf1=^L, cup=\E=%p1%' '%+%c%p2%' '%+%c, cuu1=^K,
   	dch1=\EW$<10>, dim=\EGp, dl1=\ER$<1>, dsl=\EF^M,
   	ed=\Ey$<80>, el=\Et, fsl=^M,
   	home=^^, hs, ht=^I$<1>, hts=\E1,
   	.ich1=\EQ, il1=\EE$<2>, ind=^J$<2>, invis=\EG1, ip=$<2>,
   	is2=\E'\E(\E3\E`9^N^T,
   	kbs=^H, kcbt=\EI, kcub1=^H, kcud1=^J, kcuf1=^L, kcuu1=^K, kdch1=\EW,
   	kdl1=\ER, kent=\E7, ked=\EY, kel=\ET, kf1=^A@^M, kf2=^AA^M,
   	kf3=^AB^M, kf4=^AC^M, kf5=^AD^M, kf6=^AE^M, kf7=^AF^M, kf8=^AG^M,
   	kHOM=\E{, khome=^^, kich1=\EQ, kil1=\EE, knp=\EK, kpp=\EJ, krpl=\Er,
   	lh#1, lines#24, ll=^^^K, lw#8,
   	mc0=\EP, mc4=^T, mc5=^R, mir, nel=^M^J, nlab#8,
   	pfx=\Ez%p1%'?'%+%c%p2%s\177, pln=\Ez%p1%'/'%+%c%p2%s^M, prot=\EG0\E),
   	rev=\EG4, ri=\Ej$<3>, rmacs=\EG0\EH^C, rmir=\Er, rmln=\EA11,
   	rmso=\EG0, rmul=\EG0,
   	sgr=\EG%'0'%?%p2%p6%|%t%{8}%|%;%?%p1%p3%|%p6%|%t%{4}%|%;%?%p4%t%{2}%|%;%?
   	    %p5%t%{64} %|%;%?%p7%t%{1}%|%;%c%?%p8%t\E)%e\E(%;%?%p9%t\EH^B%e\EH^C%;,
   	sgr0=\EG0\E(\EH^C, smacs=\EG0\EH^B, smir=\Eq, smln=\EA10, smso=\EG4,
   	smul=\EG8, tbc=\E0, tsl=\EF, wsl#45, xmc#1, xon,
   #	The mandatory pause used by flash does not work with
   #	older versions of terminfo.  If you see this effect then
   #	unset xon and delete the / from the delay.
   #	i.e. change $<100/> to $<100>
   wy30-vb|wyse30-vb|wyse 30 Visible bell,
   	flash=\E`8$<100/>\E`9, use=wy30,
   wy30n|wy30nam|wy30-nam|Wyse 30 with no auto margins,
   	am@, use=wy30,
   #

Types of Capabilities in the Sample Entry

The sample entry shows the formats for the three types of terminfo capabilities listed: Boolean, numeric, and string. All capabilities specified in the terminfo source file must be followed by commas, including the last capability in the source file. In terminfo source files, capabilities are referenced by their capability names (as shown in the previous tables).

Boolean capabilities are specified simply by their comma separated Capnames.

Numeric capabilities are followed by the character `#' and then a positive integer value. (Values for numeric capabilities may be specified in decimal, octal, or hexadecimal, using normal C programming language conventions.)

Finally, string-valued capabilities such as el (clear to end of line sequence) are listed by a two- to five-character capname, an `=', and a string ended by the next occurrence of a comma. A delay in milliseconds may appear anywhere in such a capability, preceded by ``$'' and enclosed in angle brackets, as in el=\EK$<3>. Padding characters are supplied by tput. The delay can be any of the following: a number, a number followed by an asterisk, such as 5*, a number followed by a slash, such as 5/, or a number followed by both, such as 5*/. A ``*'' shows that the padding required is proportional to the number of lines affected by the operation, and the amount given is the per-affected-unit padding required. (In the case of insert characters, the factor is still the number of lines affected. This is always 1 unless the device has in and the software uses it.) When a ``*'' is specified, it is sometimes useful to give a delay of the form 3.5 to specify a delay per unit to tenths of milliseconds. (Only one decimal place is allowed.)

A `/' indicates that the padding is mandatory. If a device has xon defined, the padding information is advisory and will only be used for cost estimates or when the device is in raw mode. Mandatory padding will be transmitted regardless of the setting of xon. If padding (whether advisory or mandatory) is specified for bel or flash, however, it will always be used, regardless of whether xon is specified.

terminfo offers notation for encoding special characters. Both \E and \e map to an ESCAPE character, ^x maps to a control x for any appropriate x, and the sequences \n, \l, \r, \t, \b, \f, and \s give a newline, linefeed, return, tab, backspace, formfeed, and space, respectively. Other escapes include: \^ for caret (^); \\ for backslash (\); \, for comma (,); \: for colon (:); and \0 for null. (\0 will actually produce \200, which does not terminate a string but behaves as a null character on most devices, providing CS7 is specified. [See stty(1).] Finally, characters may be given as three octal digits after a backslash (for example, \123).

Sometimes individual capabilities must be commented out. To do this, put a period before the capability name. For example, see the second ind in the example above. Note that capabilities are defined in a left-to-right order and, therefore, a prior definition will override a later definition.

Preparing Descriptions

The most effective way to prepare a device description is by imitating the description of a similar device in terminfo and building up a description gradually, using partial descriptions with vi to check that they are correct. Be aware that a very unusual device may expose deficiencies in the ability of the terminfo file to describe it or the inability of vi to work with that device. To test a new device description, set the environment variable TERMINFO to the pathname of a directory containing the compiled description you are working on and programs will look there rather than in /usr/share/lib/terminfo. To get the padding for insert-line correct (if the device manufacturer did not document it) a severe test is to comment out xon, edit a large file at 9600 baud with vi, delete 16 or so lines from the middle of the screen, and then press the u key several times quickly. If the display is corrupted, more padding is usually needed. A similar test can be used for insert-character.

Section 1-1: Basic Capabilities

The number of columns on each line for the device is given by the cols numeric capability. If the device has a screen, then the number of lines on the screen is given by the lines capability. If the device wraps around to the beginning of the next line when it reaches the right margin, then it should have the am capability. If the terminal can clear its screen, leaving the cursor in the home position, then this is given by the clear string capability. If the terminal overstrikes (rather than clearing a position when a character is struck over) then it should have the os capability. If the device is a printing terminal, with no soft copy unit, specify both hc and os. If there is a way to move the cursor to the left edge of the current row, specify this as cr. (Normally this will be carriage return, control M.) If there is a way to produce an audible signal (such as a bell or a beep), specify it as bel. If, like most devices, the device uses the xon-xoff flow-control protocol, specify xon.

If there is a way to move the cursor one position to the left (such as backspace), that capability should be given as cub1. Similarly, sequences to move to the right, up, and down should be given as cuf1, cuu1, and cud1, respectively. These local cursor motions must not alter the text they pass over; for example, you would not normally use ``cuf1=\s'' because the space would erase the character moved over.

A very important point here is that the local cursor motions encoded in terminfo are undefined at the left and top edges of a screen terminal. Programs should never attempt to backspace around the left edge, unless bw is specified, and should never attempt to go up locally off the top. To scroll text up, a program goes to the bottom left corner of the screen and sends the ind (index) string.

To scroll text down, a program goes to the top left corner of the screen and sends the ri (reverse index) string. The strings ind and ri are undefined when not on their respective corners of the screen.

Parameterized versions of the scrolling sequences are indn and rin. These versions have the same semantics as ind and ri, except that they take one parameter and scroll the number of lines specified by that parameter. They are also undefined except at the appropriate edge of the screen.

The am capability tells whether the cursor sticks at the right edge of the screen when text is output, but this does not necessarily apply to a cuf1 from the last column. Backward motion from the left edge of the screen is possible only when bw is specified. In this case, cub1 will move to the right edge of the previous row. If bw is not given, the effect is undefined. This is useful for drawing a box around the edge of the screen, for example. If the device has switch selectable automatic margins, am should be specified in the terminfo source file. In this case, initialization strings should turn on this option, if possible. If the device has a command that moves to the first column of the next line, that command can be given as nel (newline). It does not matter if the command clears the remainder of the current line, so if the device has no cr and lf it may still be possible to craft a working nel out of one or both of them.

These capabilities suffice to describe hardcopy and screen terminals. Thus the AT&T 5320 hardcopy terminal is described as follows:

      5320|att5320|AT&T 5320 hardcopy terminal,
   	  am, hc, os,
   	  cols#132,
   	  bel=^G, cr=\r, cub1=\b, cnd1=\n,
   	  dch1=\E[P, dl1=\E[M,
   	  ind=\n,

while the Lear Siegler ADM-3 is described as

      adm3|lsi adm3,
      am, bel=^G, clear=^Z, cols#80, cr=^M, cub1=^H,
      cud1=^J, ind=^J, lines#24,

Section 1-2: Parameterized Strings

Cursor addressing and other strings requiring parameters are described by a parameterized string capability, with printf-like escapes (%x) in it. For example, to address the cursor, the cup capability is given, using two parameters: the row and column to address to. (Rows and columns are numbered from zero and refer to the physical screen visible to the user, not to any unseen memory.) If the terminal has memory relative cursor addressing, that can be indicated by mrcup.

The parameter mechanism uses a stack and special % codes to manipulate the stack in the manner of Reverse Polish Notation (postfix). Typically a sequence will push one of the parameters onto the stack and then print it in some format. Often more complex operations are necessary. Operations are in postfix form with the operands in the usual order. That is, to subtract 5 from the first parameter, one would use %p1%{5}%-.

The % encodings have the following meanings:


%%
outputs `%'

%[[:]flags][width[.precision]][doxXs]
as in printf, flags are [-+#] and space

%c
print pop gives %c

%p[1-9]
push ith parm

%P[a-z]
set dynamic variable [a-z] to pop

%g[a-z]
get dynamic variable [a-z] and push it

%P[A-Z]
set static variable [a-z] to pop

%g[A-Z]
get static variable [a-z] and push it

%'c'
push char constant c

%{nn}
push decimal constant nn

%l
push strlen(pop)

%+ %- %* %/ %m
arithmetic (%m is mod): push(pop integer[2] op pop integer[1]) where integer[1] is the top of the stack

%& %| %^
bit operations: push(pop integer[2] op pop integer[1])

%= %> %<
logical operations: push(pop integer[2] op pop integer[1])

%A %O
logical operations: and, or

%! %~
unary operations: push(op pop)

%i
(for ANSI terminals) add 1 to first parm, if one parm present, or first two parms, if more than one parm present

%? expr %t thenpart %e elsepart %;
if-then-else; %e elsepart is optional; else-if's are possible ala Algol 68:
   %? c[1] %t b[1] %e c[2] %t b[2] %e c[3] %t b[3] %e c[4] %t b[4] %e b[5]%;

c[i] are conditions, b[i] are bodies.

If the ``-'' flag is used with ``%[doxXs]'', then a colon (:) must be placed between the ``%'' and the ``-'' to differentiate the flag from the binary ``%-'' operator, for example, ``%:-16.16s''.

Consider the Hewlett-Packard 2645, which, to get to row 3 and column 12, needs to be sent \E&a12c03Y padded for 6 milliseconds. Note that the order of the rows and columns is inverted here, and that the row and column are zero-padded as two digits. Thus its cup capability is:

   cup=\E&a%p2%2.2dc%p1%2.2dY$<6>

The Micro-Term ACT-IV needs the current row and column sent preceded by a ^T, with the row and column simply encoded in binary, ``cup=^T%p1%c%p2%c''. Devices that use ``%c'' need to be able to backspace the cursor (cub1), and to move the cursor up one line on the screen (cuu1). This is necessary because it is not always safe to transmit \n, ^D, and \r, as the system may change or discard them. (The library routines dealing with terminfo set tty modes so that tabs are never expanded, so \t is safe to send. This turns out to be essential for the Ann Arbor 4080.)

A final example is the LSI ADM-3a, which uses row and column offset by a blank character, thus ``cup=\E=%p1%'\s'%+%c%p2%'\s'%+%c''. After sending ``\E='', this pushes the first parameter, pushes the ASCII value for a space (32), adds them (pushing the sum on the stack in place of the two previous values), and outputs that value as a character. Then the same is done for the second parameter. More complex arithmetic is possible using the stack.

Section 1-3: Cursor Motions

If the terminal has a fast way to home the cursor (to very upper left corner of screen) then this can be given as home; similarly a fast way of getting to the lower left-hand corner can be given as ll; this may involve going up with cuu1 from the home position, but a program should never do this itself (unless ll does) because it can make no assumption about the effect of moving up from the home position. Note that the home position is the same as addressing to (0,0): to the top left corner of the screen, not of memory. (Thus, the \EH sequence on Hewlett-Packard terminals cannot be used for home without losing some of the other features on the terminal.)

If the device has row or column absolute-cursor addressing, these can be given as single parameter capabilities hpa (horizontal position absolute) and vpa (vertical position absolute). Sometimes these are shorter than the more general two-parameter sequence (as with the Hewlett-Packard 2645) and can be used in preference to cup. If there are parameterized local motions (for example, move n spaces to the right) these can be given as cud, cub, cuf, and cuu with a single parameter indicating how many spaces to move. These are primarily useful if the device does not have cup, such as the Tektronix 4025.

If the device needs to be in a special mode when running a program that uses these capabilities, the codes to enter and exit this mode can be given as smcup and rmcup. This arises, for example, from terminals, such as the Concept, with more than one page of memory. If the device has only memory relative cursor addressing and not screen relative cursor addressing, a one screen-sized window must be fixed into the device for cursor addressing to work properly. This is also used for the Tektronix 4025, where smcup sets the command character to be the one used by terminfo. If the smcup sequence will not restore the screen after an rmcup sequence is output (to the state prior to outputting rmcup), specify nrrmc.

Section 1-4: Area Clears

If the terminal can clear from the current position to the end of the line, leaving the cursor where it is, this should be given as el. If the terminal can clear from the beginning of the line to the current position inclusive, leaving the cursor where it is, this should be given as el1. If the terminal can clear from the current position to the end of the display, then this should be given as ed. ed is only defined from the first column of a line. (Thus, it can be simulated by a request to delete a large number of lines, if a true ed is not available.)

Section 1-5: Insert/Delete Line

If the terminal can open a new blank line before the line where the cursor is, this should be given as il1; this is done only from the first position of a line. The cursor must then appear on the newly blank line. If the terminal can delete the line which the cursor is on, then this should be given as dl1; this is done only from the first position on the line to be deleted. Versions of il1 and dl1 which take a single parameter and insert or delete that many lines can be given as il and dl.

If the terminal has a settable destructive scrolling region (like the VT100) the command to set this can be described with the csr capability, which takes two parameters: the top and bottom lines of the scrolling region. The cursor position is, alas, undefined after using this command. It is possible to get the effect of insert or delete line using this command -- the sc and rc (save and restore cursor) commands are also useful. Inserting lines at the top or bottom of the screen can also be done using ri or ind on many terminals without a true insert/delete line, and is often faster even on terminals with those features.

To determine whether a terminal has destructive scrolling regions or non-destructive scrolling regions, create a scrolling region in the middle of the screen, place data on the bottom line of the scrolling region, move the cursor to the top line of the scrolling region, and do a reverse index (ri) followed by a delete line (dl1) or index (ind). If the data that was originally on the bottom line of the scrolling region was restored into the scrolling region by the dl1 or ind, then the terminal has non-destructive scrolling regions. Otherwise, it has destructive scrolling regions. Do not specify csr if the terminal has non-destructive scrolling regions, unless ind,