TERMINFO(5)

NAME
terminfo - terminal capability data base

SYNOPSIS
/usr/lib/terminfo/*/*

DESCRIPTION
Terminfo is a data base describing terminals, used by screen-oriented programs such as vi(1), rogue(1) and ncurses(3). Terminfo describes terminals by giving a set of capabilities which they have, by specifying how to perform screen operations, and by specifying padding requirements and initialization sequences.

Entries in terminfo consist of a number of `,' separated fields. White space after each `,' is ignored. The first entry for each terminal gives the names which are known for the terminal, separated by `|' characters. The first name given is the most common abbreviation for the terminal, the last name given should be a long name fully identifying the terminal, and all others are understood as synonyms for the terminal name. All names but the last should be in lower case and contain no blanks; the last name may well contain upper case and blanks for readability.

Terminal names (except for the last, verbose entry) should be chosen using the following conventions. The particular piece of hardware making up the terminal should have a root name chosen, thus ``hp2621''. This name should not contain hyphens, except that synonyms may be chosen that do not conflict with other names. Modes that the hardware can be in, or user preferences, should be indicated by appending a hyphen and an indicator of the mode. Thus, a vt100 in 132 column mode would be vt100-w. The following suffixes should be used where possible:
Suffix | Meaning | Example
-w | Wide mode (more than 80 columns) | vt100-w
-am | With auto. margins (usually default) | vt100-am
-nam | Without automatic margins | vt100-nam
-n | Number of lines on the screen | aaa-60
-na | No arrow keys (leave them in local) | c100-na
-np | Number of pages of memory | c100-4p
-rv | Reverse video | c100-rv

CAPABILITIES
The variable is the name by which the programmer (at the terminfo level) accesses the capability. The capname is the short name used in the text of the database, and is used by a person updating the database. The i.code is the two letter internal code used in the compiled database, and always corresponds to the old termcap capability name.

Capability names have no hard length limit, but an informal limit of 5 characters has been adopted to keep them short and to allow the tabs in the source file caps to line up nicely. Whenever possible, names are chosen to be the same as or similar to the ANSI X3.64-1979 standard. Semantics are also intended to match those of the specification.

(P) indicates that padding may be specified

(G) indicates that the string is passed through tparm with parms as given (#i).

(*) indicates that padding may be based on the number of lines affected

(#i)
    indicates the ith parameter.
    Variable | Cap- | I. | Description
    Booleans | name | Code
    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 | ut | screen erased with background color
    can_change, | ccc | cc | terminal can re-define exiting colors
    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 cols
     |  |  | (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_ctl_c, | xsb | xb | Beehive (f1=escape, f2=ctrl C)
    non_rev_rmcup, | nrrmc | NR | smcup does not reverse rmcup
    no_pad_char, | npc | NP | pad character does not exist
    non_dest_scroll_region, | ndscr | ND | scrolling region is non-destructive
    over_strike, | os | os | Terminal overstrikes
    prtr_silent, | mc5i | 5i | printer won't echo on screen
    row_addr_glitch, | xvpa | YD | only positive motion for vhp/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 | Tabs ruin, magic so char (Teleray
     |  |  | 1061)
    tilde_glitch, | hz | hz | Hazeltine; can not print ~'s
    transparent_underline, | ul | ul | underline character overstrikes
    xon_xoff, | xon | xo | Terminal uses xon/xoff handshaking
    Numbers:
    bit_image_entwining, | bitwin | Yo | Undocumented in SVr4.0
    buffer_capacity, | bufsz | Ya | numbers of bytes buffered before printing
    columns, | cols | co | Number of columns in a line
    dot_vert_spacing, | spinv | Yb | spacing of dots horizontally in dots per inch
    dot_horz_spacing, | spinh | Yc | spacing of pins vertically in pins per inch
    init_tabs, | it | it | Tabs initially every # spaces
    label_height, | lh | lh | rows in each label
    label_width, | lw | lw | columns in each label
    lines, | lines | li | Number of lines on screen or page
    lines_of_memory, | lm | lm | Lines of memory if > lines. 0 means varies
    magic_cookie_glitch, | xmc | sg | Number of blank chars left by smso or rmso
    max_colors, | colors | Co | maximum numbers of colors on screen
    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 | numbers of pins in print-head
    num_labels, | nlab | Nl | number of labels on screen
    output_res_char, | orc | Yi | horizontal resolution in units per line
    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 where cr/nl padding is needed
    virtual_terminal, | vt | vt | Virtual terminal number (UNIX system)
    width_status_line, | wsl | ws | No. columns in status line
    (The following numeric capabilities are present in the SVr4.0 term structure, but are not yet documented in the man page. Comments are from the term structure header.)
    bit_image_type, | bitype | Yp | Type of bit-image device
    buttons, | btns | BT | Number of mouse buttons
    max_attributes, | ma | ma | Max combined attributes terminal can handle
    maximum_windows, | wnum | MW | Max number of definable windows
    print_rate, | cps | Ym | Print rate in chars per second
    wide_char_size, | widcs | Yn | Char step size in double wide mode
    Strings:
    acs_chars, | acsc | ac | Graphics charset pairs - def=vt100
    alt_scancode_esc, | scesa | S8 | Alternate esc for scancode emulation (default is vt100)
    back_tab, | cbt | bt | Back tab (P)
    bell, | bel | bl | Audible signal (bell) (P)
    bit_image_repeat, | birep | Xy | Repeat bit image cell #1 #2 times (use tparm)
    bit_image_newline, | binel | Zz | Move to next row of the bit image (use tparm)
    bit_image_carriage_return, | bicr | Yv | Move to beginning of same row (use tparm)
    carriage_return, | cr | cr | Carriage return (P*)
    change_char_pitch, | cpi | ZA | Change # chars per inch
    change_line_pitch, | lpi | ZB | Change # 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) (PG)
    char_padding, | rmp | rP | Like ip but when in insert mode
    char_set_names, | csnm | Zy | List of character set names
    clear_all_tabs, | tbc | ct | Clear all tab stops (P)
    clear_margins, | mgc | MC | Clear all margins (top, bottom, and sides)
    clear_screen, | clear | cl | Clear screen and home cursor (P*)
    clr_bol. | el1 | cb | Clear to beginning of line
    clr_eol, | el | ce | Clear to end of line (P)
    clr_eos, | ed | cd | Clear to end of display (P*)
    code_set_init, | csin | ci | Init sequence for multiple code sets
    color_names, | colornm | Yw | Give name for color #1
    column_address, | hpa | ch | Set cursor column (PG)
    command_character, | cmdch | CC | Term. settable cmd char in prototype
    cursor_address, | cup | cm | Screen rel. cursor motion row #1
     |  |  | col #2 (PG)
    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 cursor 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 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 character in a character set
    delete_character, | dch1 | dc | Delete character (P*)
    delete_line, | dl1 | dl | Delete line (P*)
    device_type, | devt | dv | Indicate language/codeset support
    dis_status_line, | dsl | ds | Disable status line
    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 char set
    end_bit_image_region, | endbi | Yy | End bit image region (use tparm)
    enter_alt_charset_mode, | smacs | as | Start alternate character set (P)
    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 mode
    enter_draft_quality, | sdrfq | ZG | Set draft-quality printing
    enter_insert_mode, | smir | im | Insert mode (enter);
    enter_italics_mode, | sitm | ZH | Enable italics mode
    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 NLQ printing
    enter_normal_quality, | snrmq | ZL | Set normal quality printing
    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 (chars invisible)
    enter_shadow_mode, | sshm | ZM | Enable shadow-mode printing
    enter_standout_mode, | smso | so | Begin stand out 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 (PG)
    exit_alt_charset_mode, | rmacs | ae | End alternate character set (P)
    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 doublewide printing
    exit_insert_mode, | rmir | ei | End insert mode
    exit_italics_mode, | ritm | ZR | Disable italic printing
    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
    exit_scancode_mode, | rmsc | S5 | Disable PC scancode mode
    exit_shadow_mode, | rshm | ZU | Disable shadow printing
    exit_standout_mode, | rmso | se | End stand out 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
    flash_screen, | flash | vb | Visible bell (may not move cursor)
    form_feed, | ff | ff | Hardcopy terminal page eject (P*)
    from_status_line, | fsl | fs | Return from status line
    init_1string, | is1 | i1 | Terminal initialization string
    init_2string, | is2 | i2 | Terminal initialization string
    init_3string, | is3 | i3 | Terminal initialization string
    init_file, | if | if | Name of file containing is
    init_prog, | iprog | iP | Path name of program for init
    initialize_color, | initc | Ic | Initialize the definition of color
    initialize_pair, | initp | Ip | Initialize color-pair
    insert_character, | ich1 | ic | Insert character (P)
    insert_line, | il1 | al | Add new blank line (P*)
    insert_padding, | ip | ip | Insert pad after character inserted
     |  |  | (p*)
    key_a1, | ka1 | K1 | Upper left of keypad
    key_a3, | ka3 | K3 | Upper right of keypad
    key_b2, | kb2 | K2 | Center of keypad
    key_backspace, | kbs | kb | Sent by backspace key
    key_beg, | kbeg | @1 | begin key
    key_btab, | kcbt | kB | back-tab key
    key_c1, | kc1 | K4 | Lower left of keypad
    key_c3, | kc3 | K5 | Lower right of keypad
    key_cancel, | kcan | @2 | cancel key
    key_catab, | ktbc | ka | Sent by clear-all-tabs key
    key_clear, | kclr | kC | Sent by clear screen or erase key
    key_close, | kclo | @3 | close key
    key_command, | kcmd | @4 | command key
    key_copy, | kcpy | @5 | copy key
    key_create, | kcrt | @6 | create key
    key_ctab, | kctab | kt | Sent by clear-tab key
    key_dc, | kdch1 | kD | Sent by delete character key
    key_dl, | kdl1 | kL | Sent by delete line key
    key_down, | kcud1 | kd | Sent by terminal down arrow key
    key_eic, | krmir | kM | Sent by rmir or smir in insert mode
    key_end, | kend | @7 | end key
    key_enter, | kent | @8 | enter/send key
    key_eol, | kel | kE | Sent by clear-to-end-of-line key
    key_eos, | ked | kS | Sent by clear-to-end-of-screen key
    key_exit, | kext | @9 | exit key
    key_f0, | kf0 | k0 | Sent by function key f0
    key_f1, | kf1 | k1 | Sent by function key f1
    key_f2, | kf2 | k2 | Sent by function key f2
    key_f3, | kf3 | k3 | Sent by function key f3
    key_f4, | kf4 | k4 | Sent by function key f4
    key_f5, | kf5 | k5 | Sent by function key f5
    key_f6, | kf6 | k6 | Sent by function key f6
    key_f7, | kf7 | k7 | Sent by function key f7
    key_f8, | kf8 | k8 | Sent by function key f8
    key_f9, | kf9 | k9 | Sent by function key f9
    key_f10, | kf10 | k; | Sent by function key f10
    key_f11, | kf11 | F1 | F11 function key
    key_f12, | kf12 | F2 | F12 function key
    key_f13, | kf13 | F3 | F13 function key
    key_f14, | kf14 | F4 | F14 function key
    key_f15, | kf15 | F5 | F15 function key
    key_f16, | kf16 | F6 | F16 function key
    key_f17, | kf17 | F7 | F17 function key
    key_f18, | kf18 | F8 | F18 function key
    key_f19, | kf19 | F9 | F19 function key
    key_f20, | kf20 | FA | F20 function key
    key_f21, | kf21 | FB | F21 function key
    key_f22, | kf22 | FC | F22 function key
    key_f23, | kf23 | FD | F23 function key
    key_f24, | kf24 | FE | F24 function key
    key_f25, | kf25 | FF | F25 function key
    key_f26, | kf26 | FG | F26 function key
    key_f27, | kf27 | FH | F27 function key
    key_f28, | kf28 | FI | F28 function key
    key_f29, | kf29 | FJ | F29 function key
    key_f30, | kf30 | FK | F30 function key
    key_f31, | kf31 | FL | F31 function key
    key_f32, | kf32 | FM | F32 function key
    key_f33, | kf33 | FN | F33 function key
    key_f34, | kf34 | FO | F34 function key
    key_f35, | kf35 | FP | F35 function key
    key_f36, | kf36 | FQ | F36 function key
    key_f37, | kf37 | FR | F37 function key
    key_f38, | kf38 | FS | F38 function key
    key_f39, | kf39 | FT | F39 function key
    key_f40, | kf40 | FU | F40 function key
    key_f41, | kf41 | FV | F41 function key
    key_f42, | kf42 | FW | F42 function key
    key_f43, | kf43 | FX | F43 function key
    key_f44, | kf44 | FY | F44 function key
    key_f45, | kf45 | FZ | F45 function key
    key_f46, | kf46 | Fa | F46 function key
    key_f47, | kf47 | Fb | F47 function key
    key_f48, | kf48 | Fc | F48 function key
    key_f49, | kf49 | Fd | F49 function key
    key_f50, | kf50 | Fe | F50 function key
    key_f51, | kf51 | Ff | F51 function key
    key_f52, | kf52 | Fg | F52 function key
    key_f53, | kf53 | Fh | F53 function key
    key_f54, | kf54 | Fi | F54 function key
    key_f55, | kf55 | Fj | F55 function key
    key_f56, | kf56 | Fk | F56 function key
    key_f57, | kf57 | Fl | F57 function key
    key_f58, | kf58 | Fm | F58 function key
    key_f59, | kf59 | Fn | F59 function key
    key_f60, | kf60 | Fo | F60 function key
    key_f61, | kf61 | Fp | F61 function key
    key_f62, | kf62 | Fq | F62 function key
    key_f63, | kf63 | Fr | F63 function key
    key_find, | kfnd | @0 | find key
    key_help, | khlp | %1 | help key
    key_home, | khome | kh | Sent by home key
    key_ic, | kich1 | kI | Sent by ins char/enter ins mode key
    key_il, | kil1 | kA | Sent by insert line
    key_left, | kcub1 | kl | Sent by terminal left arrow key
    key_ll, | kll | kH | Sent by home-down key
    key_mark, | kmrk | %2 | mark key
    key_message, | kmsg | %3 | message key
    key_move, | kmov | %4 | move key
    key_next, | knxt | %5 | next key
    key_npage, | knp | kN | Sent by next-page key
    key_open, | kopn | %6 | open key
    key_options, | kopt | %7 | options key
    key_ppage, | kpp | kP | Sent by previous-page key
    key_previous, | kprv | %8 | previous key
    key_print, | kprt | %9 | print key
    key_redo, | krdo | %0 | redo key
    key_reference, | kref | &1 | reference key
    key_refresh, | krfr | &2 | refresh key
    key_replace, | krpl | &3 | replace key
    key_restart, | krst | &4 | restart key
    key_resume, | kres | &5 | resume key
    key_right, | kcuf1 | kr | Sent by terminal right arrow key
    key_save, | ksav | &6 | save key
    key_sbeg, | kBEG | &9 | shifted begin key
    key_scancel, | kCAN | &0 | shifted cancel key
    key_scommand, | kCMD | *1 | shifted command key
    key_scopy, | kCPY | *2 | shifted copy key
    key_screate, | kCRT | *3 | shifted create key
    key_sdc, | kDC | *4 | shifted delete char key
    key_sdl, | kDL | *5 | shifted delete line key
    key_select, | kslt | *6 | select key
    key_send, | kEND | *7 | shifted end key
    key_seol, | kEOL | *8 | shifted end of line key
    key_sexit, | kEXT | *9 | shifted exit key
    key_sf, | kind | kF | Sent by scroll-forward/down key
    key_sfind, | kFND | *0 | shifted find key
    key_shelp, | kHLP | #1 | shifted help key
    key_shome, | kHOM | #2 | shifted home key
    key_sic, | kIC | #3 | shifted insert char key
    key_sleft, | kLFT | #4 | shifted left key
    key_smessage, | kMSG | %a | shifted message key
    key_smove, | kMOV | %b | shifted move key
    key_snext, | kNXT | %c | shifted next key
    key_soptions, | kOPT | %d | shifted options key
    key_sprevious, | kPRV | %e | shifted previous key
    key_sprint, | kPRT | %f | shifted print key
    key_sr, | kri | kR | Sent by scroll-backward/up key
    key_sredo, | kRDO | %g | shifted redo key
    key_sreplace, | kRPL | %h | shifted replace key
    key_sright, | kRIT | %i | shifted right key
    key_srsume, | kRES | %j | shifted resume key
    key_ssave, | kSAV | !1 | shifted save key
    key_ssuspend, | kSPD | !2 | shifted suspend key
    key_stab, | khts | kT | Sent by set-tab key
    key_sundo, | kUND | !3 | shifted undo key
    key_suspend, | kspd | &7 | suspend key
    key_undo, | kund | &8 | undo key
    key_up, | kcuu1 | ku | Sent by terminal up arrow key
    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_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
    lab_f10, | lf10 | la | Labels on function key f10 if not f10
    label_on, | smln | LO | turn on soft labels
    label_off, | rmln | LF | turn off 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
    newline, | nel | nw | Newline (behaves like cr followed by lf)
    order_of_pins, | porder | Ze | Matches software buts to print-head pins
    orig_colors, | oc | oc | Reset all color pairs
    orig_pair, | op | op | Set default color-pair to original one
    pad_char, | pad | pc | Pad character (rather than null)
    parm_dch, | dch | DC | Delete #1 chars (PG*)
    parm_delete_line, | dl | DL | Delete #1 lines (PG*)
    parm_down_cursor, | cud | DO | Move cursor down #1 lines (PG*)
    parm_down_micro, | mcud | Zf | Like cud for micro adjust
    parm_ich, | ich | IC | Insert #1 blank chars (PG*)
    parm_index, | indn | SF | Scroll forward #1 lines (PG)
    parm_insert_line, | il | AL | Add #1 new blank lines (PG*)
    parm_left_cursor, | cub | LE | Move cursor left #1 spaces (PG)
    parm_left_micro, | mcub | Zg | Like cul for micro adjust
    parm_right_cursor, | cuf | RI | Move cursor right #1 spaces (PG*)
    parm_right_micro, | mcuf | Zh | Likr cuf for micro adjust
    parm_rindex, | rin | SR | Scroll backward #1 lines (PG)
    parm_up_cursor, | cuu | UP | Move cursor up #1 lines (PG*)
    parm_up_micro, | mcuu | Zi | Like cuu for micro adjust
    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_xmit, | pfx | px | Prog funct key #1 to xmit string #2
    pkey_plab, | pfxl | xl | Program key #1 to xmit #2 and show #3
    plab_norm, | pln | pn | program 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
    repeat_char, | rep | rp | Repeat char #1 #2 times. (PG*)
    req_for_input, | rfi | RF | request for input
    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 (set row) (PG)
    save_cursor, | sc | sc | Save cursor position (P)
    scancode_escape, | scesc | S7 | Escape for scancode emulation
    scroll_forward, | ind | sf | Scroll text up (P)
    scroll_reverse, | ri | sr | Scroll text down (P)
    select_char_set, | scs | Zj | Select character set
    set0_des_seq, | s0ds | s0 | Shift to codeset 0 (EUC set 0, ASCII)
    set1_des_seq, | s1ds | s1 | Shift to codeset 1
    set2_des_seq, | s2ds | s2 | Shift to codeset 2
    set3_des_seq, | s3ds | s3 | Shift to 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 (PG9)
    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 line at line #1 or #2 lines from bottom
    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 color
    set_left_margin, | smgl | ML | Set left margin at current line
    set_left_margin_parm, | smglp | Zm | Set left (right) margin at #1 (#2)
    set_lr_margin, | smglr | ML | Set both left and right margins
    set_page_length, | slines | YZ | Set page length to #1 lines (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 margin at line #1
    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 character set
    subscript_characters, | subcs | Zu | List of subscriptable chars
    superscript_characters, | supcs | Zv | List of superscriptable chars
    tab, | ht | ta | Tab to next 8 space hardware tab stop
    these_cause_cr, | docr | Zw | These characters cause a CR
    to_status_line, | tsl | ts | Go to status line, column #1
    underline_char, | uc | uc | Underscore one char and move past it
    up_half_line, | hu | hu | Half-line up (reverse 1/2 linefeed)
    xoff_character, | xoffc | XF | XON character
    xon_character, | xonc | XN | XOFF character
    (The following string capabilities are present in the SVr4.0 term structure, but are not documented in the man page. Comments are from the term structure header.)
    label_format, | fln | Lf | ??
    set_clock, | sclk | SC | Set time-of-day clock
    display_clock, | dclk | DK | Display time-of-day clock
    remove_clock, | rmclk | RC | Remove time-of-day clock??
    create_window, | cwin | CW | Define win #1 to go from #2,#3 to #4,#5
    goto_window, | wingo | WG | Goto window #1
    hangup, | hup | HU | Hang up phone
    dial_phone, | dial | DI | Dial phone number #1
    quick_dial, | qdial | QD | Dial phone number #1, without progress detection
    tone, | tone | TO | Select touch tone dialing
    pulse, | pulse | PU | Select pulse dialing
    flash_hook, | hook | fh | Flash the switch hook
    fixed_pause, | pause | PA | Pause for 2-3 seconds
    wait_tone, | wait | WA | Wait for dial tone
    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
    get_mouse, | getm | Gm | Curses should get button events
    key_mouse, | kmous | Km | ??
    mouse_info, | minfo | Mi | Mouse status information
    pc_term_options, | pctrm | S6 | PC terminal options
    req_mouse_pos, | reqmp | RQ | Request mouse position report
    zero_motion, | zerom, | Zx | No motion for the subsequent character

A Sample Entry

The following entry, which describes the Concept-100, is among the more complex entries in the terminfo file as of this writing.

concept100|c100|concept|c104|c100-4p|concept 100,
	am, bel=^G, blank=\EH, blink=\EC, clear=^L$<2*>, cnorm=\Ew,
	cols#80, cr=^M$<9>, cub1=^H, cud1=^J, cuf1=\E=,
	cup=\Ea%p1%' '%+%c%p2%' '%+%c,
	cuu1=\E;, cvvis=\EW, db, dch1=\E^A$<16*>, dim=\EE, dl1=\E^B$<3*>,
	ed=\E^C$<16*>, el=\E^U$<16>, eo, flash=\Ek$<20>\EK, ht=\t$<8>,
	il1=\E^R$<3*>, in, ind=^J, .ind=^J$<9>, ip=$<16*>,
	is2=\EU\Ef\E7\E5\E8\El\ENH\EK\E\200\Eo&\200\Eo\47\E,
	kbs=^h, kcub1=\E>, kcud1=\E<, kcuf1=\E=, kcuu1=\E;,
	kf1=\E5, kf2=\E6, kf3=\E7, khome=\E?,
	lines#24, mir, pb#9600, prot=\EI, rep=\Er%p1%c%p2%' '%+%c$<.2*>,
	rev=\ED, rmcup=\Ev    $<6>\Ep\r\n, rmir=\E\200, rmkx=\Ex,
	rmso=\Ed\Ee, rmul=\Eg, rmul=\Eg, sgr0=\EN\200,
	smcup=\EU\Ev  8p\Ep\r, smir=\E^P, smkx=\EX, smso=\EE\ED,
	smul=\EG, tabs, ul, vt#8, xenl,

Entries may continue onto multiple lines by placing white space at the beginning of each line except the first. Comments may be included on lines beginning with ``#''. Capabilities in terminfo are of three types: Boolean capabilities which indicate that the terminal has some particular feature, numeric capabilities giving the size of the terminal or the size of particular delays, and string capabilities, which give a sequence which can be used to perform particular terminal operations.

Types of Capabilities

All capabilities have names. For instance, the fact that the Concept has automatic margins (i.e., an automatic return and linefeed when the end of a line is reached) is indicated by the capability am. Hence the description of the Concept includes am. Numeric capabilities are followed by the character `#' and then the value. Thus cols, which indicates the number of columns the terminal has, gives the value `80' for the Concept.

Finally, string valued capabilities, such as el (clear to end of line sequence) are given by the two-character code, an `=', and then a string ending at the next following `,'. A delay in milliseconds may appear anywhere in such a capability, enclosed in $<..> brackets, as in el=\EK$<3>, and padding characters are supplied by tputs to provide this delay. The delay can be either a number, e.g., `20', or a number followed by an `*', i.e., `3*'. A `*' indicates 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 character, the factor is still the number of lines affected. This is always one unless the terminal has xenl 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 number of escape sequences are provided in the string valued capabilities for easy encoding of characters there. 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 \s give a newline, linefeed, return, tab, backspace, formfeed, and space. Other escapes include \^ for ^, \\ for \, \, for comma, \: for :, and \0 for null. (\0 will produce \200, which does not terminate a string but behaves as a null character on most terminals.) Finally, characters may be given as three octal digits after a \.

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.

Preparing Descriptions

We now outline how to prepare descriptions of terminals. The most effective way to prepare a terminal description is by imitating the description of a similar terminal in terminfo and to build up a description gradually, using partial descriptions with vi or some other screen-oriented program to check that they are correct. Be aware that a very unusual terminal may expose deficiencies in the ability of the terminfo file to describe it or bugs in the screen-handling code of the test program. To easily test a new terminal description you can set the environment variable TERMINFO to a pathname of a directory containing the compiled description you are working on and programs will look there rather than in /usr/lib/terminfo. To get the padding for insert line right (if the terminal manufacturer did not document it) a severe test is to edit /etc/passwd at 9600 baud, delete 16 or so lines from the middle of the screen, then hit the `u' key several times quickly. If the terminal messes up, more padding is usually needed. A similar test can be used for insert character.

Basic Capabilities

The number of columns on each line for the terminal is given by the cols numeric capability. If the terminal is a CRT, then the number of lines on the screen is given by the lines capability. If the terminal 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 terminal is a printing terminal, with no soft copy unit, give it both hc and os. (os applies to storage scope terminals, such as TEKTRONIX 4010 series, as well as hard copy and APL terminals.) If there is a code to move the cursor to the left edge of the current row, give this as cr. (Normally this will be carriage return, control M.) If there is a code to produce an audible signal (bell, beep, etc) give this as bel.

If there is a code to move the cursor one position to the left (such as backspace) that capability should be given as cub1. Similarly, codes to move to the right, up, and down should be given as cuf1, cuu1, and cud1. These local cursor motions should not alter the text they pass over, for example, you would not normally use `cuf1= ' 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 CRT terminal. Programs should never attempt to backspace around the left edge, unless bw is given, and never attempt to go up locally off the top. In order to scroll text up, a program will go to the bottom left corner of the screen and send 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 which have the same semantics as ind and ri except that they take one parameter, and scroll that many lines. 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. The only local motion which is defined from the left edge is if bw is given, then a cub1 from the left edge 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 terminal has switch selectable automatic margins, the terminfo file usually assumes that this is on; i.e., am. If the terminal has a command which 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 terminal 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 “glass-tty” terminals. Thus the model 33 teletype is described as

	3|tty33|tty|model 33 teletype,
	bel=^G, cols#72, cr=^M, cud1=^J, hc, ind=^J, os,

while the Lear Siegler ADM-3 is described as

	adm3|3|lsi adm3,
	am, bel=^G, clear=^Z, cols#80, cr=^M, cub1=^H, cud1=^J,
	ind=^J, lines#24,

Parameterized Strings

Cursor addressing and other strings requiring parameters in the terminal are described by a parameterized string capability, with printf(3S) 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 it. 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.

The % encodings have the following meanings:

	%%	outputs `%'
	%d	print pop() as in printf
	%2d	print pop() like %2d
	%3d	print pop() like %3d
	%02d
	%03d	as in printf
	%c	print pop() gives %c
	%s	print pop() gives %s
	%p[1-9]	push ith parm
	%P[a-z]	set variable [a-z] to pop()
	%g[a-z]	get variable [a-z] and push it
	%'c'	char constant c
	%{nn}	integer constant nn
	%+ %- %* %/ %m
		arithmetic (%m is mod): push(pop() op pop())
	%& %| %^	bit operations: push(pop() op pop())
	%= %> %<	logical operations: push(pop() op pop())
	%! %~	unary operations push(op pop())
	%i	add 1 to first two parms (for ANSI terminals)
	%? expr %t thenpart %e elsepart %;
		if-then-else, %e elsepart is optional.
		else-if's are possible ala Algol 68:
		%? c1 %t b1 %e c2 %t b2 %e c3 %t b3 %e c4 %t b4 %e %;
		ci are conditions, bi are bodies.

Binary operations are in postfix form with the operands in the usual order. That is, to get x-5 one would use "%gx%{5}%-".

Consider the HP2645, 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 printed as two digits. Thus its cup capability is “cup=6\E&%p2%2dc%p1%2dY”.

The Microterm 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”. Terminals which 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%' '%+%c%p2%' '%+%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.

If the terminal 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 hp2645) and can be used in preference to cup . If there are parameterized local motions (e.g., 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 terminal does not have cup, such as the TEKTRONIX 4025.

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 HP terminals cannot be used for home.)

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 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.)

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 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.

If the terminal has the ability to define a window as part of memory, which all commands affect, it should be given as the parameterized string wind. The four parameters are the starting and ending lines in memory and the starting and ending columns in memory, in that order.

If the terminal can retain display memory above, then the da capability should be given; if display memory can be retained below, then db should be given. These indicate that deleting a line or scrolling may bring non-blank lines up from below or that scrolling back with ri may bring down non-blank lines.

Insert/Delete Character

There are two basic kinds of intelligent terminals with respect to insert/delete character which can be described using terminfo. The most common insert/delete character operations affect only the characters on the current line and shift characters off the end of the line rigidly. Other terminals, such as the Concept 100 and the Perkin Elmer Owl, make a distinction between typed and untyped blanks on the screen, shifting upon an insert or delete only to an untyped blank on the screen which is either eliminated, or expanded to two untyped blanks. You can determine the kind of terminal you have by clearing the screen and then typing text separated by cursor motions. Type “abc def” using local cursor motions (not spaces) between the “abc” and the “def”. Then position the cursor before the “abc” and put the terminal in insert mode. If typing characters causes the rest of the line to shift rigidly and characters to fall off the end, then your terminal does not distinguish between blanks and untyped positions. If the “abc” shifts over to the “def” which then move together around the end of the current line and onto the next as you insert, you have the second type of terminal, and should give the capability in, which stands for “insert null”. While these are two logically separate attributes (one line vs. multiline insert mode, and special treatment of untyped spaces) we have seen no terminals whose insert mode cannot be described with the single attribute.

Terminfo can describe both terminals which have an insert mode, and terminals which send a simple sequence to open a blank position on the current line. Give as smir the sequence to get into insert mode. Give as rmir the sequence to leave insert mode. Now give as ich1 any sequence needed to be sent just before sending the character to be inserted. Most terminals with a true insert mode will not give ich1; terminals which send a sequence to open a screen position should give it here. (If your terminal has both, insert mode is usually preferable to ich1. Do not give both unless the terminal actually requires both to be used in combination.) If post insert padding is needed, give this as a number of milliseconds in ip (a string option). Any other sequence which may need to be sent after an insert of a single character may also be given in ip. If your terminal needs both to be placed into an `insert mode' and a special code to precede each inserted character, then both smir/rmir and ich1 can be given, and both will be used. The ich capability, with one parameter, n, will repeat the effects of ich1 n times.

It is occasionally necessary to move around while in insert mode to delete characters on the same line (e.g., if there is a tab after the insertion position). If your terminal allows motion while in insert mode you can give the capability mir to speed up inserting in this case. Omitting mir will affect only speed. Some terminals (notably Datamedia's) must not have mir because of the way their insert mode works.

Finally, you can specify dch1 to delete a single character, dch with one parameter, n, to delete n characters, and delete mode by giving smdc and rmdc to enter and exit delete mode (any mode the terminal needs to be placed in for dch1 to work).

A command to erase n characters (equivalent to outputting n blanks without moving the cursor) can be given as ech with one parameter.

Highlighting, Underlining, and Visible Bells

If your terminal has one or more kinds of display attributes, these can be represented in a number of different ways. You should choose one display form as standout mode, representing a good, high contrast, easy-on-the-eyes, format for highlighting error messages and other attention getters. (If you have a choice, reverse video plus half-bright is good, or reverse video alone.) The sequences to enter and exit standout mode are given as smso and rmso, respectively. If the code to change into or out of standout mode leaves one or even two blank spaces on the screen, as the TVI 912 and Teleray 1061 do, then xmc should be given to tell how many spaces are left.

Codes to begin underlining and end underlining can be given as smul and rmul respectively. If the terminal has a code to underline the current character and move the cursor one space to the right, such as the Microterm Mime, this can be given as uc.

Other capabilities to enter various highlighting modes include blink (blinking) bold (bold or extra bright) dim (dim or half-bright) invis (blanking or invisible text) prot (protected) rev (reverse video) sgr0 (turn off all attribute modes) smacs (enter alternate character set mode) and rmacs (exit alternate character set mode). Turning on any of these modes singly may or may not turn off other modes.

If there is a sequence to set arbitrary combinations of modes, this should be given as sgr (set attributes), taking 9 parameters. Each parameter is either 0 or 1, as the corresponding attribute is on or off. The 9 parameters are, in order: standout, underline, reverse, blink, dim, bold, blank, protect, alternate character set. Not all modes need be supported by sgr, only those for which corresponding separate attribute commands exist.

Terminals with the ``magic cookie'' glitch (xmc) deposit special ``cookies'' when they receive mode-setting sequences, which affect the display algorithm rather than having extra bits for each character. Some terminals, such as the HP 2621, automatically leave standout mode when they move to a new line or the cursor is addressed. Programs using standout mode should exit standout mode before moving the cursor or sending a newline, unless the msgr capability, asserting that it is safe to move in standout mode, is present.

If the terminal has a way of flashing the screen to indicate an error quietly (a bell replacement) then this can be given as flash; it must not move the cursor.

If the cursor needs to be made more visible than normal when it is not on the bottom line (to make, for example, a non-blinking underline into an easier to find block or blinking underline) give this sequence as cvvis. If there is a way to make the cursor completely invisible, give that as civis. The capability cnorm should be given which undoes the effects of both of these modes.

If the terminal 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 like the Concept with more than one page of memory. If the terminal has only memory relative cursor addressing and not screen relative cursor addressing, a one screen-sized window must be fixed into the terminal 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 your terminal correctly generates underlined characters (with no special codes needed) even though it does not overstrike, then you should give the capability ul. If overstrikes are erasable with a blank, then this should be indicated by giving eo.

Keypad

If the terminal has a keypad that transmits codes when the keys are pressed, this information can be given. Note that it is not possible to handle terminals where the keypad only works in local (this applies, for example, to the unshifted HP 2621 keys). If the keypad can be set to transmit or not transmit, give these codes as smkx and rmkx. Otherwise the keypad is assumed to always transmit. The codes sent by the left arrow, right arrow, up arrow, down arrow, and home keys can be given as kcub1, kcuf1, kcuu1, kcud1, and khome respectively. If there are function keys such as f0, f1, ..., f10, the codes they send can be given as kf0, kf1, ..., kf10. If these keys have labels other than the default f0 through f10, the labels can be given as lf0, lf1, ..., lf10. The codes transmitted by certain other special keys can be given: kll (home down), kbs (backspace), ktbc (clear all tabs), kctab (clear the tab stop in this column), kclr (clear screen or erase key), kdch1 (delete character), kdl1 (delete line), krmir (exit insert mode), kel (clear to end of line), ked (clear to end of screen), kich1 (insert character or enter insert mode), kil1 (insert line), knp (next page), kpp (previous page), kind (scroll forward/down), kri (scroll backward/up), khts (set a tab stop in this column). In addition, if the keypad has a 3 by 3 array of keys including the four arrow keys, the other five keys can be given as ka1, ka3, kb2, kc1, and kc3. These keys are useful when the effects of a 3 by 3 directional pad are needed.

Tabs and Initialization

If the terminal has hardware tabs, the command to advance to the next tab stop can be given as ht (usually control I). A ``backtab'' command which moves leftward to the next tab stop can be given as cbt. By convention, if the teletype modes indicate that tabs are being expanded by the computer rather than being sent to the terminal, programs should not use ht or cbt even if they are present, since the user may not have the tab stops properly set. If the terminal has hardware tabs which are initially set every n spaces when the terminal is powered up, the numeric parameter it is given, showing the number of spaces the tabs are set to. This is normally used by the tset command to determine whether to set the mode for hardware tab expansion, and whether to set the tab stops. If the terminal has tab stops that can be saved in nonvolatile memory, the terminfo description can assume that they are properly set.

Other capabilities include is1, is2, and is3, initialization strings for the terminal, iprog, the path name of a program to be run to initialize the terminal, and if, the name of a file containing long initialization strings. These strings are expected to set the terminal into modes consistent with the rest of the terminfo description. They are normally sent to the terminal, by the tset program, each time the user logs in. They will be printed in the following order: is1; is2; setting tabs using tbc and hts; if; running the program iprog; and finally is3. Most initialization is done with is2. Special terminal modes can be set up without duplicating strings by putting the common sequences in is2 and special cases in is1 and is3. A pair of sequences that does a harder reset from a totally unknown state can be analogously given as rs1, rs2, rf, and rs3, analogous to is2 and if. These strings are output by the reset program, which is used when the terminal gets into a wedged state. Commands are normally placed in rs2 and rf only if they produce annoying effects on the screen and are not necessary when logging in. For example, the command to set the vt100 into 80-column mode would normally be part of is2, but it causes an annoying glitch of the screen and is not normally needed since the terminal is usually already in 80 column mode.

If there are commands to set and clear tab stops, they can be given as tbc (clear all tab stops) and hts (set a tab stop in the current column of every row). If a more complex sequence is needed to set the tabs than can be described by this, the sequence can be placed in is2 or if.

Delays

Certain capabilities control padding in the teletype driver. These are primarily needed by hard copy terminals, and are used by the tset program to set teletype modes appropriately. Delays embedded in the capabilities cr, ind, cub1, ff, and tab will cause the appropriate delay bits to be set in the teletype driver. If pb (padding baud rate) is given, these values can be ignored at baud rates below the value of pb.

Miscellaneous

If the terminal requires other than a null (zero) character as a pad, then this can be given as pad. Only the first character of the pad string is used.

If the terminal has an extra ``status line'' that is not normally used by software, this fact can be indicated. If the status line is viewed as an extra line below the bottom line, into which one can cursor address normally (such as the Heathkit h19's 25th line, or the 24th line of a vt100 which is set to a 23-line scrolling region), the capability hs should be given. Special strings to go to the beginning of the status line and to return from the status line can be given as tsl and fsl. (fsl must leave the cursor position in the same place it was before tsl. If necessary, the sc and rc strings can be included in tsl and fsl to get this effect.) The parameter tsl takes one parameter, which is the column number of the status line the cursor is to be moved to. If escape sequences and other special commands, such as tab, work while in the status line, the flag eslok can be given. A string which turns off the status line (or otherwise erases its contents) should be given as dsl. If the terminal has commands to save and restore the position of the cursor, give them as sc and rc. The status line is normally assumed to be the same width as the rest of the screen, e.g., cols. If the status line is a different width (possibly because the terminal does not allow an entire line to be loaded) the width, in columns, can be indicated with the numeric parameter wsl.

If the terminal can move up or down half a line, this can be indicated with hu (half-line up) and hd (half-line down). This is primarily useful for superscripts and subscripts on hardcopy terminals. If a hardcopy terminal can eject to the next page (form feed), give this as ff (usually control L).

If there is a command to repeat a given character a given number of times (to save time transmitting a large number of identical characters) this can be indicated with the parameterized string rep. The first parameter is the character to be repeated and the second is the number of times to repeat it. Thus, tparm(repeat_char, 'x', 10) is the same as `xxxxxxxxxx'.

If the terminal has a settable command character, such as the TEKTRONIX 4025, this can be indicated with cmdch. A prototype command character is chosen which is used in all capabilities. This character is given in the cmdch capability to identify it. The following convention is supported on some UNIX systems: The environment is to be searched for a CC variable, and if found, all occurrences of the prototype character are replaced with the character in the environment variable.

Terminal descriptions that do not represent a specific kind of known terminal, such as switch, dialup, patch, and network, should include the gn (generic) capability so that programs can complain that they do not know how to talk to the terminal. (This capability does not apply to virtual terminal descriptions for which the escape sequences are known.)

If the terminal uses xon/xoff handshaking for flow control, give xon. Padding information should still be included so that routines can make better decisions about costs, but actual pad characters will not be transmitted.

If the terminal has a ``meta key'' which acts as a shift key, setting the 8th bit of any character transmitted, this fact can be indicated with km. Otherwise, software will assume that the 8th bit is parity and it will usually be cleared. If strings exist to turn this ``meta mode'' on and off, they can be given as smm and rmm.

If the terminal has more lines of memory than will fit on the screen at once, the number of lines of memory can be indicated with lm. A value of lm#0 indicates that the number of lines is not fixed, but that there is still more memory than fits on the screen.

If the terminal is one of those supported by the UNIX virtual terminal protocol, the terminal number can be given as vt.

Media copy strings which control an auxiliary printer connected to the terminal can be given as mc0: print the contents of the screen, mc4: turn off the printer, and mc5: turn on the printer. When the printer is on, all text sent to the terminal will be sent to the printer. It is undefined whether the text is also displayed on the terminal screen when the printer is on. A variation mc5p takes one parameter, and leaves the printer on for as many characters as the value of the parameter, then turns the printer off. The parameter should not exceed 255. All text, including mc4, is transparently passed to the printer while an mc5p is in effect.

Strings to program function keys can be given as pfkey, pfloc, and pfx. Each of these strings takes two parameters: the function key number to program (from 0 to 10) and the string to program it with. Function key numbers out of this range may program undefined keys in a terminal dependent manner. The difference between the capabilities is that pfkey causes pressing the given key to be the same as the user typing the given string; pfloc causes the string to be executed by the terminal in local; and pfx causes the string to be transmitted to the computer.

Glitches and Braindamage

Hazeltine terminals, which do not allow `~' characters to be displayed should indicate hz.

Terminals which ignore a linefeed immediately after an am wrap, such as the Concept and vt100, should indicate xenl.

If el is required to get rid of standout (instead of merely writing normal text on top of it), xhp should be given.

Teleray terminals, where tabs turn all characters moved over to blanks, should indicate xt (destructive tabs). Note: the variable indicating this is now `dest_tabs_magic_smso'; in older versions, it was teleray_glitch. This glitch is also taken to mean that it is not possible to position the cursor on top of a ``magic cookie'', that to erase standout mode it is instead necessary to use delete and insert line.

The Beehive Superbee, which is unable to correctly transmit the escape or control C characters, has xsb, indicating that the f1 key is used for escape and f2 for control C. (Only certain Superbees have this problem, depending on the ROM.) Note that in older terminfo versions, this capability was called `beehive_glitch'; it is now `no_esc_ctl_c'.

Other specific terminal problems may be corrected by adding more capabilities of the form xx.

Similar Terminals

If there are two very similar terminals, one can be defined as being just like the other with certain exceptions. The string capability use can be given with the name of the similar terminal. The capabilities given before use override those in the terminal type invoked by use. A capability can be canceled by placing xx@ to the left of the capability definition, where xx is the capability. For example, the entry

    2621-nl, smkx@, rmkx@, use=2621,

defines a 2621-nl that does not have the smkx or rmkx capabilities, and hence does not turn on the function key labels when in visual mode. This is useful for different modes for a terminal, or for different user preferences.

FILES

/usr/lib/terminfo/?/*
    files containing terminal descriptions

SEE ALSO
tic(1), curses(3), printf(3), term(5).

AUTHORS
Pavel Curtis, Zeyd M. Ben-Halim