1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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$Id: announce.html.in,v 1.64 2006/12/17 23:31:26 tom Exp $
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****************************************************************************
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* Copyright (c) 1998-2005,2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc. *
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* *
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* Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a *
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* "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including *
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* furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: *
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* *
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* The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included *
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* THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS *
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****************************************************************************
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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-->
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<HTML>
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<HEAD>
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<TITLE>Announcing ncurses @VERSION@</TITLE>
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<link rev=made href="mailto:bug-ncurses@gnu.org">
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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</HEAD>
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<BODY>
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<H1>Announcing ncurses @VERSION@</H1>
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The ncurses (new curses) library is a free software emulation of
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curses in System V Release 4.0, and more. It uses terminfo format,
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supports pads and color
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and multiple highlights and forms characters and function-key mapping,
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and has all the other SYSV-curses enhancements over BSD curses.<P>
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In mid-June 1995, the maintainer of 4.4BSD curses declared that he
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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considered 4.4BSD curses obsolete, and encouraged the keepers of
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Unix releases such as BSD/OS, FreeBSD and NetBSD to switch over to
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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ncurses.<P>
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2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
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The ncurses code was developed under GNU/Linux.
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It has been in use for some time with OpenBSD as the system curses library,
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and on FreeBSD and NetBSD as an external package.
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It should port easily to any ANSI/POSIX-conforming UNIX.
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It has even been ported to OS/2 Warp!<P>
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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The distribution includes the library and support utilities, including a
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terminfo compiler tic(1), a decompiler infocmp(1), clear(1), tput(1), tset(1),
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and a termcap conversion tool captoinfo(1). Full manual pages are provided for
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the library and tools.<P>
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The ncurses distribution is available via anonymous FTP at
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the GNU distribution site
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<A HREF="ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/ncurses/">ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/ncurses/</A> .
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2000-10-11 07:31:01 +00:00
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<br>It is also available at
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<A HREF="ftp://invisible-island.net/ncurses/">ftp://invisible-island.net/ncurses/</A> .
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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<H1>Release Notes</H1>
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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This release is designed to be upward compatible from ncurses 5.0 through 5.5;
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2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
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very few applications will require recompilation, depending on the platform.
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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These are the highlights from the change-log since ncurses 5.5 release.
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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<p>
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Interface changes:
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<ul>
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>generate linkable stubs for some macros:
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<br>
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getbegx, getbegy, getcurx, getcury, getmaxx, getmaxy, getparx,
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getpary, getpary,
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<br>
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and (for libncursesw)
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<br>
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wgetbkgrnd
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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</ul>
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2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
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New features and improvements:
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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<ul>
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>library
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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<ul>
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>support hashed databases for the terminal descriptions.
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This uses the Berkeley database, has been tested for
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several versions on different platforms.
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<li>add <code>use_legacy_coding()</code> function to support
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lynx's font-switching feature.
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<li>add extension <code>nofilter()</code>, to cancel a prior
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<code>filter()</code> call.
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<li>add/install a package config script, e.g.,
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<code>ncurses5-config</code> or
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<code>ncursesw5-config</code>, according to
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configuration options.
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<li>provide ifdef for <code>NCURSES_NOMACROS</code> which
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suppresses most macro definitions from curses.h, i.e.,
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where a macro is defined to override a function to improve
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performance.
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<li>make ifdef's consistent in <code>curses.h</code> for the
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extended colors so the header file can be used for the
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normal curses library. The header file installed for
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extended colors is a variation of the wide-character
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configuration.
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<li>improve <code>tgetstr()</code> by making the return value
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point into the user's buffer, if provided.
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<li>add ifdef's allowing ncurses to be built with
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<code>tparm()</code> using either varargs (the existing
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status), or using a fixed-parameter list (to match X/Open).
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<li>widen the test for xterm <code>kmous</code> a little to
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<code>allow</code> for other
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strings than "\E[M", e.g., for <code>xterm-sco</code>
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functionality in xterm.
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<li>modify <code>wgetnstr()</code> to return
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<code>KEY_RESIZE</code> if a sigwinch occurs.
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<li>move prototypes for wide-character trace functions from
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curses.tail to curses.wide to avoid accidental reference to
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those if <code>_XOPEN_SOURCE_EXTENDED</code> is defined
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without ensuring that <wchar.h> is included.
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<li>change the way shared libraries (other than libtool) are
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installed. Rather than copying the build-tree's libraries,
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link the shared objects into the install directory. This
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makes the <code>--with-rpath</code> option work except with
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<code>$(DESTDIR)</code>.
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<li>several improvements for rendering in hpterm. These are
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only available if the library is configured using
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<code>--enable-xmc-glitch</code>.
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<li>Add <code>NCURSES_NO_HARD_TABS</code> and
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<code>NCURSES_NO_MAGIC_COOKIE</code> environment variables
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to allow runtime suppression of the related hard-tabs and
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xmc-glitch features.
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</ul>
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2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>programs:
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<ul>
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<li>add new test programs: chgat.c, demo_altkeys.c,
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echochar.c, foldkeys.c, movewindow.c, redraw.c, (noting
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that existing test programs also were modified to test
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additional features).
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2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>modify tack to test extended capability function-key
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strings.
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2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>modify toe to access termcap data, e.g., via <code>cgetent()</code>
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functions, or as a text file if those are not available.
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2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>improve infocmp/tic <code>-f</code> option formatting.
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2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>add <code>toe -a</code> option, to show all databases.
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This uses new private interfaces in the ncurses library for
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iterating through the list of databases.
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2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>modify <code>MKfallback.sh</code> to use
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<code>tic -x</code> when constructing fallback tables to
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allow extended capabilities to be retrieved from a fallback entry.
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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</ul>
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>terminal database
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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<ul>
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>add terminfo entries for xfce terminal (xfce) and multi gnome terminal (mgt)
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<li>add nsterm-16color entry
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<li>updated mlterm terminfo entry
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<li>add kon, kon2 and jfbterm terminfo entry
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<li>remove invis capability from klone+sgr, mainly used by linux entry, since it does not really do this
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<li>add ka2, kb1, kb3, kc2 to vt220-keypad as an extension
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<li>add shifted up/down arrow codes to xterm-new as kind/kri strings
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<li>add hpterm-color terminfo entry
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<li>add 256color variants of terminfo entries for programs which are reported to implement this feature
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<li>correct order of use-clauses in rxvt-basic entry which made codes for f1-f4 vt100-style rather than vt220-style.
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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</ul>
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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</ul>
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Major bug fixes:
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<ul>
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<li>correct a typo in configure <code>--with-bool</code> option for the
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case where <code>--without-cxx</code> is used.
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>move assignment from environment variable <code>ESCDELAY</code>
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from <code>initscr()</code> down to <code>newterm()</code> so the
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environment variable affects timeouts for terminals opened with
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newterm() as well.
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>modify <code>werase</code> to clear multicolumn characters that
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extend into a derived window.
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>modify <code>wchgat()</code> to mark updated cells as changed so a
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refresh will repaint those cells.
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>correct logic in <code>wadd_wch()</code> and
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<code>wecho_wch()</code>, which did not guard against passing the
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multi-column attribute into a call on <code>waddch()</code>, e.g.,
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using data returned by <code>win_wch()</code>
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2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>fix redrawing of windows other than <code>stdscr</code> using
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<code>wredrawln()</code> by touching the corresponding rows in
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<code>curscr</code>.
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>reduce memory leaks in repeated calls to <code>tgetent()</code> by
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remembering the last <code>TERMINAL*</code> value allocated to hold
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the corresponding data and freeing that if the
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<code>tgetent()</code> result buffer is the same as the previous
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call.
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>modify <code>read_termtype()</code> so the <code>term_names</code>
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data is always allocated as part of the <code>str_table</code>, a
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better fix for a memory leak.
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>fix <code>wins_nwstr(),</code> which did not handle single-column
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non-8bit codes.
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<li>modify <code>wbkgrnd()</code> to avoid clearing the
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<code>A_CHARTEXT</code> attribute bits since those record the state
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of multicolumn characters.
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<li>improve <code>SIGWINCH</code> handling by postponing its effect
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during <code>newterm()</code>, etc., when allocating screens.
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<li>remove 970913 feature for copying subwindows as they are moved in
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<code>mvwin()</code>.
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>add checks in <code>waddchnstr()</code> and
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<code>wadd_wchnstr()</code> to stop copying when a null character
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is found.
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<li>add some checks to ensure current position is within scrolling
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region before scrolling on a new line.
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<li>add a workaround to ACS mapping to allow applications such as
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test/blue.c to use the "PC ROM" characters by masking them with
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A_ALTCHARSET. This worked up til 5.5, but was lost in the revision
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of legacy coding.
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2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
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</ul>
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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Portability:
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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<ul>
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<li>configure script:
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<ul>
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<li>new options:
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<dl>
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<dt>--with-hashed-db
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<dd>Use Berkeley hashed database for storing terminfo data rather than storing
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each compiled entry in a separate binary file within a directory
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tree.
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<dt>--without-dlsym
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<dd>Do not use <code>dlsym()</code> to load GPM dynamically.
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
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<dt>--with-valgrind
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<dd>Simplify building for testing with valgrind.
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<dt>--enable-wgetch-events
|
|
|
|
|
<dd>Compile with experimental wgetch-events code.
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<dt>--enable-signed-char
|
|
|
|
|
<dd>Store booleans in "signed char" rather than "char".
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
</dl>
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>improved options:
|
|
|
|
|
<dl>
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<dt>--disable-largefile
|
|
|
|
|
<dd>make the option work both ways.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<dt>--with-gpm
|
|
|
|
|
<dd>The option now accepts a parameter,
|
|
|
|
|
i.e., the name of the dynamic GPM library to load via
|
|
|
|
|
<code>dlopen()</code>
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<dt>--disable-symlinks
|
|
|
|
|
<dd>The option now allows one to
|
|
|
|
|
disable <code>symlink()</code> in <code>tic</code> even when
|
|
|
|
|
<code>link()</code> does not work.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
</dl>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
</ul>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<li>other configure/build issues: <ul> <li>remove special case for
|
|
|
|
|
Darwin in <code>CF_XOPEN_SOURCE</code> configure macro.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>add configure check to ensure that <code>SIGWINCH</code> is
|
|
|
|
|
defined on platforms such as OS X which exclude that when
|
|
|
|
|
<code>_XOPEN_SOURCE,</code> etc., are defined
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>use ld's <code>-search_paths_first</code> option on Darwin
|
|
|
|
|
to work around odd search rules on that platform.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>improve ifdef's for <code>_POSIX_VDISABLE</code> in tset to
|
|
|
|
|
work with Mac OS X.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>modify configure script to ensure that if the C compiler is
|
|
|
|
|
used rather than the loader in making shared libraries, the
|
|
|
|
|
<code>$(CFLAGS)</code> variable is also used.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>use <code>${CC}</code> rather than <code>${LD}</code> in
|
|
|
|
|
shared library rules for IRIX64, Solaris to help ensure
|
|
|
|
|
that initialization sections are provided for extra linkage
|
|
|
|
|
requirements, e.g., of C++ applications.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>improve some shared-library configure scripting for Linux,
|
|
|
|
|
FreeBSD and NetBSD to make
|
|
|
|
|
<code>--with-shlib-version</code> work.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>split up dependency of <code>names.c</code> and
|
|
|
|
|
<code>codes.c</code> in <code>ncurses/Makefile</code> to
|
|
|
|
|
work with parallel make.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>modify <code>MKlib_gen.sh</code> to change
|
|
|
|
|
preprocessor-expanded <code>_Bool</code> back to <code>bool</code>.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>modify <code>progs/Makefile.in</code> to make
|
|
|
|
|
<code>tput init</code> work properly with cygwin,
|
|
|
|
|
i.e., do not pass a <code>.exe</code> in the reference
|
|
|
|
|
string used in check_aliases.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
</ul>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<li>library:
|
|
|
|
|
<ul>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>ignore wide-acs line-drawing characters that
|
|
|
|
|
<code>wcwidth()</code> claims are not one-column. This is
|
|
|
|
|
a workaround for Solaris' broken locale support.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>reduce name-pollution in <code>term.h</code> by removing
|
|
|
|
|
<code>#define</code>'s for HAVE_xxx symbols.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>fix <code>#ifdef</code> in <code>c++/internal.h</code> for
|
|
|
|
|
QNX 6.1
|
|
|
|
|
</ul>
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>test programs: <ul> <li>modify <code>test/configure</code> script
|
|
|
|
|
to allow building test programs with PDCurses/X11.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>modified test programs to allow some to work with NetBSD
|
|
|
|
|
curses. Several do not because NetBSD curses implements a
|
|
|
|
|
subset of X/Open curses, and also lacks much of SVr4
|
|
|
|
|
additions. But it is enough for comparison.
|
2001-05-17 08:21:06 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>improved <code>test/configure</code> to build test/ncurses
|
|
|
|
|
on HPUX 11 using the vendor curses.
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<li>change configure script to produce
|
|
|
|
|
<code>test/Makefile</code> from data file.
|
|
|
|
|
</ul>
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
</ul>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<H1>Features of Ncurses</H1>
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000-01-26 16:43:25 +00:00
|
|
|
The ncurses package is fully compatible with SVr4 (System V Release 4) curses:
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<UL>
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>All 257 of the SVr4 calls have been implemented (and are documented).
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>Full support for SVr4 curses features including keyboard mapping, color,
|
|
|
|
|
forms-drawing with ACS characters, and automatic recognition of keypad
|
|
|
|
|
and function keys.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>An emulation of the SVr4 panels library, supporting
|
|
|
|
|
a stack of windows with backing store, is included.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>An emulation of the SVr4 menus library, supporting
|
|
|
|
|
a uniform but flexible interface for menu programming, is included.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>An emulation of the SVr4 form library, supporting
|
|
|
|
|
data collection through on-screen forms, is included.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>Binary terminfo entries generated by the ncurses tic(1) implementation
|
|
|
|
|
are bit-for-bit-compatible with the entry format SVr4 curses uses.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>The utilities have options to allow you to filter terminfo
|
|
|
|
|
entries for use with less capable <STRONG>curses</STRONG>/<STRONG>terminfo</STRONG>
|
|
|
|
|
versions such as the HP/UX and AIX ports.</UL>
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000-01-26 16:43:25 +00:00
|
|
|
The ncurses package also has many useful extensions over SVr4:
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<UL>
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>The API is 8-bit clean and base-level conformant with the X/OPEN curses
|
|
|
|
|
specification, XSI curses (that is, it implements all BASE level features,
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
and most EXTENDED features).
|
|
|
|
|
It includes many function calls not supported under SVr4 curses
|
|
|
|
|
(but portability of all
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
calls is documented so you can use the SVr4 subset only).
|
2000-01-26 16:43:25 +00:00
|
|
|
<LI>Unlike SVr3 curses, ncurses can write to the rightmost-bottommost corner
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
of the screen if your terminal has an insert-character capability.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>Ada95 and C++ bindings.
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<LI>Support for mouse event reporting with X Window xterm
|
|
|
|
|
and FreeBSD and OS/2 console windows.
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<LI>Extended mouse support via Alessandro Rubini's gpm package.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>The function <CODE>wresize()</CODE> allows you to resize windows, preserving
|
|
|
|
|
their data.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>The function <CODE>use_default_colors()</CODE> allows you to
|
|
|
|
|
use the terminal's default colors for the default color pair,
|
|
|
|
|
achieving the effect of transparent colors.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>The functions <CODE>keyok()</CODE>
|
|
|
|
|
and <CODE>define_key()</CODE> allow
|
|
|
|
|
you to better control the use of function keys,
|
|
|
|
|
e.g., disabling the ncurses KEY_MOUSE,
|
|
|
|
|
or by defining more than one control sequence to map to a given key code.
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<LI>Support for 16-color terminals, such as aixterm and modern xterm.
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<LI>Better cursor-movement optimization. The package now features a
|
|
|
|
|
cursor-local-movement computation more efficient than either BSD's
|
|
|
|
|
or System V's.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>Super hardware scrolling support. The screen-update code incorporates
|
|
|
|
|
a novel, simple, and cheap algorithm that enables it to make optimal
|
|
|
|
|
use of hardware scrolling, line-insertion, and line-deletion
|
|
|
|
|
for screen-line movements. This algorithm is more powerful than
|
|
|
|
|
the 4.4BSD curses quickch() routine.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>Real support for terminals with the magic-cookie glitch. The
|
|
|
|
|
screen-update code will refrain from drawing a highlight if the magic-
|
|
|
|
|
cookie unattributed spaces required just before the beginning and
|
|
|
|
|
after the end would step on a non-space character. It will
|
|
|
|
|
automatically shift highlight boundaries when doing so would make it
|
|
|
|
|
possible to draw the highlight without changing the visual appearance
|
|
|
|
|
of the screen.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>It is possible to generate the library with a list of pre-loaded
|
|
|
|
|
fallback entries linked to it so that it can serve those terminal types even
|
|
|
|
|
when no terminfo tree or termcap file is accessible (this may be useful
|
|
|
|
|
for support of screen-oriented programs that must run in single-user mode).
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>The tic(1)/captoinfo utility provided with ncurses has the
|
|
|
|
|
ability to translate many termcaps from the XENIX, IBM and
|
|
|
|
|
AT&T extension sets.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>A BSD-like tset(1) utility is provided.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>The ncurses library and utilities will automatically read terminfo
|
|
|
|
|
entries from $HOME/.terminfo if it exists, and compile to that directory
|
|
|
|
|
if it exists and the user has no write access to the system directory.
|
|
|
|
|
This feature makes it easier for users to have personal terminfo entries
|
|
|
|
|
without giving up access to the system terminfo directory.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>You may specify a path of directories to search for compiled
|
|
|
|
|
descriptions with the environment variable TERMINFO_DIRS (this
|
|
|
|
|
generalizes the feature provided by TERMINFO under stock System V.)
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>In terminfo source files, use capabilities may refer not just to
|
|
|
|
|
other entries in the same source file (as in System V) but also to
|
|
|
|
|
compiled entries in either the system terminfo directory or the user's
|
|
|
|
|
$HOME/.terminfo directory.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>A script (<STRONG>capconvert</STRONG>) is provided to help BSD users
|
|
|
|
|
transition from termcap to terminfo. It gathers the information in a
|
|
|
|
|
TERMCAP environment variable and/or a ~/.termcap local entries file
|
|
|
|
|
and converts it to an equivalent local terminfo tree under $HOME/.terminfo.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>Automatic fallback to the /etc/termcap file can be compiled in
|
|
|
|
|
when it is not possible to build a terminfo tree. This feature is neither
|
|
|
|
|
fast nor cheap, you don't want to use it unless you have to,
|
|
|
|
|
but it's there.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>The table-of-entries utility <STRONG>toe</STRONG> makes it easy for users to
|
|
|
|
|
see exactly what terminal types are available on the system.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>The library meets the XSI requirement that every macro entry
|
|
|
|
|
point have a corresponding function which may be linked (and will be
|
|
|
|
|
prototype-checked) if the macro definition is disabled with
|
|
|
|
|
<CODE>#undef</CODE>.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>An HTML "Introduction to Programming with NCURSES" document provides
|
|
|
|
|
a narrative introduction to the curses programming interface.
|
|
|
|
|
</UL>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<H1>State of the Package</H1>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerous bugs present in earlier versions have been fixed; the
|
|
|
|
|
library is far more reliable than it used to be. Bounds checking in many
|
|
|
|
|
`dangerous' entry points has been improved. The code is now type-safe
|
|
|
|
|
according to gcc -Wall. The library has been checked for malloc leaks and
|
|
|
|
|
arena corruption by the Purify memory-allocation tester.<P>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The ncurses code has been tested with a wide variety of applications
|
2000-01-26 16:43:25 +00:00
|
|
|
including (versions starting with those noted):
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<DL>
|
2000-01-26 16:43:25 +00:00
|
|
|
<DT> cdk
|
|
|
|
|
<DD> Curses Development Kit
|
2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://invisible-island.net/cdk/">http://invisible-island.net/cdk/</A>
|
2000-10-11 07:31:01 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.vexus.ca/products/CDK/">http://www.vexus.ca/products/CDK/</a>
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<DT> ded
|
|
|
|
|
<DD> directory-editor
|
2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://invisible-island.net/ded/">http://invisible-island.net/ded/</A>
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<DT> dialog
|
|
|
|
|
<DD> the underlying application used in Slackware's setup, and the basis
|
|
|
|
|
for similar applications on GNU/Linux.
|
2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://invisible-island.net/dialog/">http://invisible-island.net/dialog/</A>
|
2000-01-26 16:43:25 +00:00
|
|
|
<DT> lynx
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<DD> the character-screen WWW browser
|
2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://lynx.isc.org/release/">http://lynx.isc.org/release/</A>
|
|
|
|
|
<DT> Midnight Commander
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<DD> file manager
|
2000-10-11 07:31:01 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.ibiblio.org/mc/">http://www.ibiblio.org/mc/</A>
|
2000-01-26 16:43:25 +00:00
|
|
|
<DT> mutt
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<DD> mail utility
|
2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.mutt.org/">http://www.mutt.org/</A>
|
2000-01-26 16:43:25 +00:00
|
|
|
<DT> ncftp
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<DD> file-transfer utility
|
2000-10-11 07:31:01 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.ncftp.com/">http://www.ncftp.com/</A>
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<DT> nvi
|
|
|
|
|
<DD> New vi versions 1.50 are able to use ncurses versions 1.9.7 and later.
|
2000-10-11 07:31:01 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.bostic.com/vi/">http://www.bostic.com/vi/</A>
|
|
|
|
|
<br>
|
|
|
|
|
<DT> pinfo
|
|
|
|
|
<DD> Lynx-like info browser.
|
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://dione.ids.pl/~pborys/software/pinfo/">http://dione.ids.pl/~pborys/software/pinfo/</A>
|
2000-01-26 16:43:25 +00:00
|
|
|
<DT> tin
|
|
|
|
|
<DD> newsreader, supporting color, MIME
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.tin.org/">http://www.tin.org/</A>
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1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
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<DT> vh-1.6
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|
|
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<DD> Volks-Hypertext browser for the Jargon File
|
2000-10-11 07:31:01 +00:00
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|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.debian.org/Packages/unstable/text/vh.html">http://www.debian.org/Packages/unstable/text/vh.html</A>
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
</DL>
|
|
|
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|
as well as some that use ncurses for the terminfo support alone:
|
|
|
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|
<DL>
|
2000-01-26 16:43:25 +00:00
|
|
|
<DT> minicom
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<DD> terminal emulator
|
2000-10-11 07:31:01 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://alioth.debian.org/projects/minicom/">
|
|
|
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|
http://alioth.debian.org/projects/minicom/</A>
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
<DT> vile
|
|
|
|
|
<DD> vi-like-emacs
|
2000-07-03 09:24:12 +00:00
|
|
|
<br>
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://invisible-island.net/vile/">http://invisible-island.net/vile/</A>
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
</DL>
|
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The ncurses distribution includes a selection of test programs (including
|
|
|
|
|
a few games).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<H2>Who's Who and What's What</H2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
Zeyd Ben-Halim
|
|
|
|
|
started it from a previous package pcurses, written by Pavel Curtis.
|
|
|
|
|
Eric S. Raymond
|
|
|
|
|
continued development.
|
|
|
|
|
Jürgen Pfeifer wrote most of the form and menu libraries.
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
Ongoing work is being done by
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="mailto:dickey@invisible-island.net">Thomas Dickey</A>.
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas Dickey
|
|
|
|
|
acts as the maintainer for the Free Software Foundation,
|
|
|
|
|
which holds the copyright on ncurses.
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
Contact the current maintainers at
|
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="mailto:bug-ncurses@gnu.org">bug-ncurses@gnu.org</A>.
|
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To join the ncurses mailing list, please write email to
|
|
|
|
|
<CODE>bug-ncurses-request@gnu.org</CODE> containing the line:
|
|
|
|
|
<PRE>
|
|
|
|
|
subscribe <name>@<host.domain>
|
|
|
|
|
</PRE>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This list is open to anyone interested in helping with the development and
|
|
|
|
|
testing of this package.<P>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beta versions of ncurses and patches to the current release are made available at
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
<A HREF="ftp://invisible-island.net/ncurses/">ftp://invisible-island.net/ncurses/</A> .
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<H2>Future Plans</H2>
|
|
|
|
|
<UL>
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>Extended-level XPG4 conformance, with internationalization support.
|
|
|
|
|
<LI>Ports to more systems, including DOS and Windows.
|
|
|
|
|
</UL>
|
|
|
|
|
We need people to help with these projects. If you are interested in working
|
|
|
|
|
on them, please join the ncurses list.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<H2>Other Related Resources</H2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
The distribution provides a newer version of the terminfo-format
|
|
|
|
|
terminal description file once maintained by
|
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.catb.org/~esr/terminfo/">Eric Raymond</A> .
|
|
|
|
|
Unlike the older version, the termcap and terminfo data are provided
|
|
|
|
|
in the same file, and provides several user-definable extensions
|
|
|
|
|
beyond the X/Open specification.<P>
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can find lots of information on terminal-related topics
|
|
|
|
|
not covered in the terminfo file at
|
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.cs.utk.edu/~shuford/terminal_index.html">Richard Shuford's
|
2007-01-20 07:32:02 +00:00
|
|
|
archive</A> .
|
1999-08-24 01:06:48 +00:00
|
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</BODY>
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</HTML>
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# mode:html
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