terminfo(M)

terminfo(M)


terminfo -- terminal capability database

Syntax

/usr/lib/terminfo/?/*

Description

terminfo is a compiled database (see tic(C)) describing the capabilities of terminals. Terminals are described in terminfo source descriptions by giving a set of capabilities which they have, by describing how operations are performed, by describing padding requirements, and by specifying initialization sequences. This database is used, for example, by vi(C) and curses(S), so they can work with a variety of terminals without changes to the programs. To obtain the source description for a terminal, use the -I option of infocmp(ADM). When doing an infocmp for the terminal you are on, there is no difference between infocmp and infocmp -I.

Entries in terminfo source files consist of a number of fields separated by commas. White space after each comma is ignored. The first line of each terminal description in the terminfo database gives the name by which terminfo knows the terminal, separated by bar (|) characters. The first name given is the most common abbreviation for the terminal (this is the one to use to set the environment variable TERM in $HOME .profile; see profile(M)); 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 contain no blanks and must be unique in the first 14 characters; the last name may contain 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, for example, for the AT&T 4425 terminal, att4425. Modes that the hardware can be in, or user preferences, should be indicated by appending a hyphen and an indicator of the mode. See term(M) for examples and more information on choosing names and synonyms.



Part 1: Terminal capabilities

Capabilities in terminfo are of three types: boolean capabilities (which show that the terminal has some particular feature), numeric capabilities (which specify the size of the terminal or particular features), and string capabilities (which provide a sequence that can be used to perform particular terminal operations).

In the following tables, a ``Variable'' is the name by which a C programmer accesses a capability (at the terminfo level). A ``Capname'' is the short name for a capability used in the source description. It is used by a person updating the database and by the tput(C) command when asking what the value of the capability is for a particular terminal. A ``Termcap Code'' is a two-letter code that corresponds to the old termcap capability name.

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

All string capabilities listed below may have padding specified, with the exception of those used for input. Input capabilities, listed under the ``Strings'' section in the following table, have names beginning with key_. The following indicators may appear at the end of the ``Description'' for a variable.

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

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

(#\di\u)
indicates the ith parameter

(**)
not present in all versions of termcap

Booleans ordered by variable name

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Variable                   Cap-    Termcap   Description
                            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     be        Screen erased with background color
 can_change                 ccc     cc        Terminal can re-define existing color
 ceol_standout_glitch       xhp     xs        Standout not erased by overwriting (hp)
 col_addr_glitch            xhpa    YA        Only positive motion for hpa/mhpa caps
 cpi_changes_res            cpix    YF        Changing character pitch changes
                                              resolution
 cr_cancels_micro_mode      crxm    YB        Using cr turns off micro mode
 eat_newline_glitch         xenl    xn        Newline ignored after 80 columns
                                              (Concept)
 erase_overstrike           eo      eo        Can erase overstrikes with a blank
 generic_type               gn      gn        Generic line type (for example, 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        color notation (Tektronix)
 insert_null_glitch         in      in        Insert mode distinguishes nulls
 lpi_changes_res            lpix    YG        Changing line pitch changes resolution
 memory_above               da      da        Display may be retained above the screen
 memory_below               db      db        Display may be retained below the screen
 move_insert_mode           mir     mi        Safe to move while in insert mode
 move_standout_mode         msgr    ms        Safe to move in standout modes
 needs_xon_xoff             nxon    nx        Padding won't work, xon/xoff required
 no_esc_ctlc                xsb     xb        Beehive (f1=escape, f2=ctrl C)
 no_pad_char                npc     NP        Pad character doesn't exist
 non_dest_scroll_region     ndscr   ND        Scrolling region is non-destructive
 non_rev_rmcup              nrrmc   NR        smcup does not reverse rmcup
 over_strike                os      os        Terminal overstrikes on hard-copy terminal
 prtr_silent                mc5i
 row_addr_glitch            xvpa    YD        Only positive motion for vpa/mvpa caps
 semi_auto_right_margin     sam     YE        Printing in last column causes cr
 status_line_esc_ok         eslok   es        Escape can be used on the status line
 dest_tabs_magic_smso       xt      xt        Destructive tabs, magic smso char (t1061)
 tilde_glitch               hz      hz        Hazeltine; cannot print tilde (~)
 transparent_underline      ul      ul        Underline character overstrikes
 xon_xoff                   xon     xo        Terminal uses xon/xoff handshaking
Numbers ordered by variable name
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Variable               Cap-     Termcap   Description
                        name     code
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 buffer_capacity        bufsz    Ya        Number of bytes buffered before printing
 columns                cols     co        Number of columns in a line
 dot_vert_spacing       spinv    Yb        Spacing of pins vertically in pins per inch
 dot_horz_spacing       spinh    Yc        Spacing of dots horizontally in dots per inch
 init_tabs              it       it        Tabs initially every # spaces
 label_height           lh       lh        Number of rows in each label
 label_width            lw       lw        Number of columns in each label
 lines                  lines    li        Number of lines on a screen or a page
 lines_of_memory        lm       lm        Lines of memory if > lines; 0 means varies
 magic_cookie_glitch    xmc      sg        Number of blank characters left by smso or rmso
 max_attributes         ma       ma        Maximum combined video attributes
                                           terminal can display
 max_colors             colors   Co        Maximum number of colors on the 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
 maximum_windows        wnum     MW        Maximum number of definable windows
 micro_col_size         mcs      Yf        Character step size when in micro mode
 micro_line_size        mls      Yg        Line step size when in micro mode
 no_color_video         ncv      NC        Video attributes that can't be used with colors
 number_of_pins         npins    Yh        Number of pins in print-head
 num_labels             nlab     Nl        Number of labels on screen (start at 1)
 output_res_char        orc      Yi        Horizontal resolution in units per character
 output_res_line        orl      Yj        Vertical resolution in units per line
 output_res_horz_inch   orhi     Yk        Horizontal resolution in units per inch
 output_res_vert_inch   orvi     Yl        Vertical resolution in units per inch
 padding_baud_rate      pb       pb        Lowest baud rate where padding needed
 print_rate             cps      Ym        Print rate in characters per second
 virtual_terminal       vt       vt        Virtual terminal number (UNIX system)
 wide_char_size         widcs    Yn        Character step size when in double wide mode
 width_status_line      wsl      ws        Number of columns in status line
Strings ordered by variable name
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Variable                    Cap-    Termcap   Description
                             name    code
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 acs_chars                   acsc    ac        Graphic charset pairs aAbBcC - def=vt100
 back_tab                    cbt     bt        Back tab
 bell                        bel     bl        Audible signal (bell)
 carriage_return             cr      cr        Carriage return ()
 change_char_pitch           cpi     ZA        Change number of characters per inch()
 change_line_pitch           lpi     ZB        Change number of lines per inch()
 change_res_horz             chr     ZC        Change horizontal resolution()
 change_res_vert             cvr     ZD        Change vertical resolution()
 change_scroll_region        csr     cs        Change to lines #1 through #2 (vt100) (G)
 char_padding                rmp     rP        Like ip but when in replace mode
 char_set_names              csnm    Zy        List of character set names
 clear_all_tabs              tbc     ct        Clear all tab stops
 clear_margins               mgc     MC        Clear all margins (top, bottom, and sides)
 clear_screen                clear   cl        Clear screen and home cursor ()
 clr_bol                     el1     cb        Clear to beginning of line, inclusive
 clr_eol                     el      ce        Clear to end of line
 clr_eos                     ed      cd        Clear to end of display ()
 column_address              hpa     ch        Horizontal position absolute (G)
 command_character           cmdch   CC        Terminal settable cmd character in prototype
 create_window               cwin    CW        Define win #1 to go from #2,#3 to #4,#5
 cursor_address              cup     cm        Move to row #1 col #2 (G)
 cursor_down                 cud1    do        Down one line
 cursor_home                 home    ho        Home cursor (if no cup)
 cursor_invisible            civis   vi        Make cursor invisible
 cursor_left                 cub1    le        Move left one space
 cursor_mem_address          mrcup   CM        Memory relative cursor addressing (G)
 cursor_normal               cnorm   ve        Make cursor appear normal (undo vs/vi)
 cursor_right                cuf1    nd        Non-destructive space
                                               (cursor or carriage right)
 cursor_to_ll                ll      ll        Last line, first column (if no cup)
 cursor_up                   cuu1    up        Upline (cursor up)
 cursor_visible              cvvis   vs        Make cursor very visible
 define_char                 defc    ZE        Define a character in a character set ()
 delete_character            dch1    dc        Delete character ()
 delete_line                 dl1     dl        Delete line ()
 delete_phone                dial    DI        Dial phone number #1
 dis_status_line             dsl     ds        Disable status line
 display_clock               dclk    DK        Display time-of-day clock
 display_pc_char             dispc   S1        Displays PC character
 down_half_line              hd      hd        Half-line down (forward 1/2 linefeed)
 ena_acs                     enacs   eA        Enable alternate character set
 enter_alt_charset_mode      smacs   as        Start alternate character set
 enter_am_mode               smam    SA        Turn on automatic margins
 enter_blink_mode            blink   mb        Turn on blinking
 enter_bold_mode             bold    md        Turn on bold (extra bright) mode
 enter_ca_mode               smcup   ti        String to begin programs that use cup
 enter_delete_mode           smdc    dm        Delete mode (enter)
 enter_dim_mode              dim     mh        Turn on half-bright mode
 enter_doublewide_mode       swidm   ZF        Enable double wide printing
 enter_draft_quality         sdrfq   ZG        Set draft quality print
 enter_insert_mode           smir    im        Insert mode (enter)
 enter_italics_mode          sitm    ZH        Enable italics
 enter_leftward_mode         slm     ZI        Enable leftward carriage motion
 enter_micro_mode            smicm   ZJ        Enable micro motion capabilities
 enter_near_letter_quality   snlq    ZK        Set near-letter quality print
 enter_normal_quality        snrmq   ZL        Set normal quality print
 enter_pc_charset_mode       smsc    S4        Enables PC-scancode mode
 enter_protected_mode        prot    mp        Turn on protected mode
 enter_reverse_mode          rev     mr        Turn on reverse video mode
 enter_secure_mode           invis   mk        Turn on blank mode (characters invisible)
 enter_shadow_mode           sshm    ZM        Enable shadow printing
 enter_standout_mode         smso    so        Begin standout mode
 enter_subscript_mode        ssubm   ZN        Enable subscript printing
 enter_superscript_mode      ssupm   ZO        Enable superscript printing
 enter_underline_mode        smul    us        Start underscore mode
 enter_upward_mode           sum     ZP        Enable upward carriage motion
 enter_xon_mode              smxon   SX        Turn on xon/xoff handshaking
 erase_chars                 ech     ec        Erase #1 characters (G)
 exit_alt_charset_mode       rmacs   ae        End alternate character set
 exit_am_mode                rmam    RA        Turn off automatic margins
 exit_attribute_mode         sgr0    me        Turn off all attributes
 exit_ca_mode                rmcup   te        String to end programs that use cup
 exit_delete_mode            rmdc    ed        End delete mode
 exit_doublewide_mode        rwidm   ZQ        Disable double wide printing
 exit_insert_mode            rmir    ei        End insert mode
 exit_italics_mode           ritm    ZR        Disable italics
 exit_leftward_mode          rlm     ZS        Enable rightward (normal) carriage motion
 exit_micro_mode             rmicm   ZT        Disable micro motion capabilities
 exit_pc_charset_mode        rmsc    S5        Disables PC-scancode mode
 exit_shadow_mode            rshm    ZU        Disable shadow printing
 exit_standout_mode          rmso    se        End standout mode
 exit_subscript_mode         rsubm   ZV        Disable subscript printing
 exit_superscript_mode       rsupm   ZW        Disable superscript printing
 exit_underline_mode         rmul    ue        End underscore mode
 exit_upward_mode            rum     ZX        Enable downward (normal) carriage motion
 exit_xon_mode               rmxon   RX        Turn off xon/xoff handshaking
 fixed_pause                 pause   PA        Pause for 2-3 seconds
 flash_hook                  hook    fh        Flash the switch hook
 flash_screen                flash   vb        Visible bell (may not move cursor)
 form_feed                   ff      ff        Hardcopy terminal page eject ()
 from_status_line            fsl     fs        Return from status line
 goto_window                 wingo   WG        Got to window #1
 hangup                      hup     HU        Hang-up phone
 init_1string                is1     i1        Terminal or printer initialization string
 init_2string                is2     is        Terminal or printer initialization string
 init_3string                is3     i3        Terminal or printer initialization string
 init_file                   if      if        Name of initialization file
 init_prog                   iprog   iP        Path name of program for initialization
 initialize_color            initc   Ic        Initialize the definition of color
 initialize_pair             initp   Ip        Initialize color-pair
 insert_character            ich1    ic        Insert character
 insert_line                 il1     al        Add new blank line ()
 insert_padding              ip      ip        Insert pad after character inserted ()
 key_a1                      ka1     K1        KEY_A1, 0534, upper left of keypad
 key_a3                      ka3     K3        KEY_A3, 0535, upper right of keypad
 key_b2                      kb2     K2        KEY_B2, 0536, center of keypad
 key_backspace               kbs     kb        KEY_BACKSPACE, 0407,
                                               sent by backspace key
 key_beg                     kbeg    @1        KEY_BEG, 0542, sent by beg(inning) key
 key_btab                    kcbt    kB        KEY_BTAB, 0541, sent by back-tab key
 key_c1                      kc1     K4        KEY_C1, 0537, lower left of keypad
 key_c3                      kc3     K5        KEY_C3, 0540, lower right of keypad
 key_cancel                  kcan    @2        KEY_CANCEL, 0543, sent by cancel key
 key_catab                   ktbc    ka        KEY_CATAB, 0526, sent by clear-all-tabs key
 key_clear                   kclr    kC        KEY_CLEAR, 0515, sent by clear-screen
                                               or erase key
 key_close                   kclo    @3        KEY_CLOSE, 0544, sent by close key
 key_command                 kcmd    @4        KEY_COMMAND, 0545,
                                               sent by cmd (command) key
 key_copy                    kcpy    @5        KEY_COPY, 0546, sent by copy key
 key_create                  kcrt    @6        KEY_CREATE, 0547, sent by create key
 key_ctab                    kctab   kt        KEY_CTAB, 0525, sent by clear-tab key
 key_dc                      kdch1   kD        KEY_DC, 0512, sent by delete-character key
 key_dl                      kdl1    kL        KEY_DL, 0510, sent by delete-line key
 key_down                    kcud1   kd        KEY_DOWN, 0402, sent by terminal
                                               down-arrow key
 key_eic                     krmir   kM        KEY_EIC, 0514, sent by rmir
                                               or smir in insert mode
 key_end                     kend    @7        KEY_END, 0550, sent by end key
 key_enter                   kent    @8        KEY_ENTER, 0527, sent by enter/send key
 key_eol                     kel     kE        KEY_EOL, 0517, sent by clear-to-end-of-line key
 key_eos                     ked     kS        KEY_EOS, 0516, sent by
                                               clear-to-end-of-screen key
 key_exit                    kext    @9        KEY_EXIT, 0551, sent by exit key
 key_f0                      kf0     k0        KEY_F(0), 0410, sent by function key f0
 key_f1                      kf1     k1        KEY_F(1), 0411, sent by function key f1
 key_f2                      kf2     k2        KEY_F(2), 0412, sent by function key f2
 key_f3                      kf3     k3        KEY_F(3), 0413, sent by function key f3
 key_f4                      kf4     k4        KEY_F(4), 0414, sent by function key f4
 key_f5                      kf5     k5        KEY_F(5), 0415, sent by function key f5
 key_f6                      kf6     k6        KEY_F(6), 0416, sent by function key f6
 key_f7                      kf7     k7        KEY_F(7), 0417, sent by function key f7
 key_f8                      kf8     k8        KEY_F(8), 0420, sent by function key f8
 key_f9                      kf9     k9        KEY_F(9), 0421, sent by function key f9
 key_f10                     kf10    k;        KEY_F(10), 0422, sent by function key f10
 key_f11                     kf11    F1        KEY_F(11), 0423, sent by function key f11
 key_f12                     kf12    F2        KEY_F(12), 0424, sent by function key f12
 key_f13                     kf13    F3        KEY_F(13), 0425, sent by function key f13
 key_f14                     kf14    F4        KEY_F(14), 0426, sent by function key f14
 key_f15                     kf15    F5        KEY_F(15), 0427, sent by function key f15
 key_f16                     kf16    F6        KEY_F(16), 0430, sent by function key f16
 key_f17                     kf17    F7        KEY_F(17), 0431, sent by function key f17
 key_f18                     kf18    F8        KEY_F(18), 0432, sent by function key f18
 key_f19                     kf19    F9        KEY_F(19), 0433, sent by function key f19
 key_f20                     kf20    FA        KEY_F(20), 0434, sent by function key f20
 key_f21                     kf21    FB        KEY_F(21), 0435, sent by function key f21
 key_f22                     kf22    FC        KEY_F(22), 0436, sent by function key f22
 key_f23                     kf23    FD        KEY_F(23), 0437, sent by function key f23
 key_f24                     kf24    FE        KEY_F(24), 0440, sent by function key f24
 key_f25                     kf25    FF        KEY_F(25), 0441, sent by function key f25
 key_f26                     kf26    FG        KEY_F(26), 0442, sent by function key f26
 key_f27                     kf27    FH        KEY_F(27), 0443, sent by function key f27
 key_f28                     kf28    FI        KEY_F(28), 0444, sent by function key f28
 key_f29                     kf29    FJ        KEY_F(29), 0445, sent by function key f29
 key_f30                     kf30    FK        KEY_F(30), 0446, sent by function key f30
 key_f31                     kf31    FL        KEY_F(31), 0447, sent by function key f31
 key_f32                     kf32    FM        KEY_F(32), 0450, sent by function key f32
 key_f33                     kf33    FN        KEY_F(33), 0451, sent by function key f13
 key_f34                     kf34    FO        KEY_F(34), 0452, sent by function key f34
 key_f35                     kf35    FP        KEY_F(35), 0453, sent by function key f35
 key_f36                     kf36    FQ        KEY_F(36), 0454, sent by function key f36
 key_f37                     kf37    FR        KEY_F(37), 0455, sent by function key f37

 key_f38                     kf38    FS        KEY_F(38), 0456, sent by function key f38
 key_f39                     kf39    FT        KEY_F(39), 0457, sent by function key f39
 key_f40                     kf40    FU        KEY_F(40), 0460, sent by function key f40
 key_f41                     kf41    FV        KEY_F(41), 0461, sent by function key f41
 key_f42                     kf42    FW        KEY_F(42), 0462, sent by function key f42
 key_f43                     kf43    FX        KEY_F(43), 0463, sent by function key f43
 key_f44                kf44     FY        KEY_F(44), 0464, sent by function key f44
 key_f45                kf45     FZ        KEY_F(45), 0465, sent by function key f45
 key_f46                kf46     Fa        KEY_F(46), 0466, sent by function key f46
 key_f47                kf47     Fb        KEY_F(47), 0467, sent by function key f47
 key_f48                kf48     Fc        KEY_F(48), 0470, sent by function key f48
 key_f49                kf49     Fd        KEY_F(49), 0471, sent by function key f49
 key_f50                kf50     Fe        KEY_F(50), 0472, sent by function key f50
 key_f51                kf51     Ff        KEY_F(51), 0473, sent by function key f51
 key_f52                kf52     Fg        KEY_F(52), 0474, sent by function key f52
 key_f53                kf53     Fh        KEY_F(53), 0475, sent by function key f53
 key_f54                kf54     Fi        KEY_F(54), 0476, sent by function key f54
 key_f55                kf55     Fj        KEY_F(55), 0477, sent by function key f55
 key_f56                kf56     Fk        KEY_F(56), 0500, sent by function key f56
 key_f57                kf57     Fl        KEY_F(57), 0501, sent by function key f57
 key_f58                kf58     Fm        KEY_F(58), 0502, sent by function key f58
 key_f59                kf59     Fn        KEY_F(59), 0503, sent by function key f59
 key_f60                kf60     Fo        KEY_F(60), 0504, sent by function key f60
 key_f61                kf61     Fp        KEY_F(61), 0505, sent by function key f61
 key_f62                kf62     Fq        KEY_F(62), 0506, sent by function key f62
 key_f63                kf63     Fr        KEY_F(63), 0507, sent by function key f63
 key_find               kfnd     @0        KEY_FIND, 0552, sent by find key
 key_help               khlp     %1        KEY_HELP, 0553, sent by help key
 key_home               khome    kh        KEY_HOME, 0406, sent by home key
 key_ic                 kich1    kI        KEY_IC, 0513, sent by ins-char/enter
                                           ins-mode key
 key_il                 kil1     kA        KEY_IL, 0511, sent by insert-line key
 key_left               kcub1    kl        KEY_LEFT, 0404, sent by terminal
                                           left-arrow key
 key_ll                 kll      kH        KEY_LL, 0533, sent by home-down key
 key_mark               kmrk     %2        KEY_MARK, 0554, sent by mark key
 key_message            kmsg     %3        KEY_MESSAGE, 0555, sent by message key
 key_move               kmov     %4        KEY_MOVE, 0556, sent by move key
 key_next               knxt     %5        KEY_NEXT, 0557, sent by next key
 key_npage              knp      kN        KEY_NPAGE, 0522, sent by next-page key
 key_open               kopn     %6        KEY_OPEN, 0560, sent by open key
 key_options            kopt     %7        KEY_OPTIONS, 0561, sent by options key
 key_ppage              kpp      kP        KEY_PPAGE, 0523, sent by previous-page key
 key_previous           kprv     %8        KEY_PREVIOUS, 0562, sent by
                                           previous-object key
 key_print              kprt     %9        KEY_PRINT, 0532, sent by print or copy key
 key_redo               krdo     0         KEY_REDO, 0563, sent by redo key
 key_reference          kref     &1        KEY_REFERENCE, 0564, sent by ref(erence) key
 key_refresh            krfr     &2        KEY_REFRESH, 0565, sent by refresh key
 key_replace            krpl     &3        KEY_REPLACE, 0566, sent by replace key
 key_restart            krst     &4        KEY_RESTART, 0567, sent by restart key
 key_resume             kres     &5        KEY_RESUME, 0570, sent by resume key
 key_right              kcuf1    kr        KEY_RIGHT, 0405, sent by terminal right-arrow key
 key_save               ksav     &6        KEY_SAVE, 0571, sent by save key
 key_sbeg               kBEG     &9        KEY_SBEG, 0572, sent by shifted beginning key
 key_scancel            kCAN     &0        KEY_SCANCEL, 0573, sent by shifted cancel key
 key_scommand           kCMD     1        KEY_SCOMMAND, 0574, sent by shifted
                                           command key
 key_scopy              kCPY     2        KEY_SCOPY, 0575, sent by shifted copy key
 key_screate            kCRT     3        KEY_SCREATE, 0576, sent by shifted create key
 key_sdc                kDC      4        KEY_SDC, 0577, sent by shifted delete-char key
 key_sdl                kDL      5        KEY_SDL, 0600, sent by shifted delete-line key
 key_select             kslt     6        KEY_SELECT, 0601, sent by select key
 key_send               kEND     7        KEY_SEND, 0602, sent by shifted end key
 key_seol               kEOL     8        KEY_SEOL, 0603, sent by shifted clear-line key
 key_sexit              kEXT     9        KEY_SEXIT, 0604, sent by shifted exit key
 key_sf                 kind     kF        KEY_SF, 0520, sent by scroll-forward/down key
 key_sfind              kFND     0        KEY_SFIND, 0605, sent by shifted find key
 key_shelp              kHLP     #1        KEY_SHELP, 0606, sent by shifted help key
 key_shome              kHOM     #2        KEY_SHOME, 0607, sent by shifted home key
 key_sic                kIC      #3        KEY_SIC, 0610, sent by shifted input key
 key_sleft              kLFT     #4        KEY_SLEFT, 0611, sent by shifted left-arrow key
 key_smessage           kMSG     %a        KEY_SMESSAGE, 0612, sent by shifted message key
 key_smove              kMOV     %b        KEY_SMOVE, 0613, sent by shifted move key
 key_snext              kNXT     %c        KEY_SNEXT, 0614, sent by shifted next key
 key_soptions           kOPT     %d        KEY_SOPTIONS, 0615, sent by shifted options key
 key_sprevious          kPRV     %e        KEY_SPREVIOUS, 0616, sent by shifted prev key
 key_sprint             kPRT     %f        KEY_SPRINT, 0617, sent by shifted print key
 key_sr                 kri      kR        KEY_SR, 0521, sent by scroll-backward/up key
 key_sredo              kRDO     %g        KEY_SREDO, 0620, sent by shifted redo key
 key_sreplace           kRPL     %h        KEY_SREPLACE, 0621, sent by shifted replace key
 key_sright             kRIT     %i        KEY_SRIGHT, 0622, sent by shifted right-arrow key
 key_srsume             kRES     %j        KEY_SRSUME, 0623, sent by shifted resume key
 key_ssave              kSAV     !1        KEY_SSAVE, 0624, sent by shifted save key
 key_ssuspend           kSPD     !2        KEY_SSUSPEND, 0625,
                                           sent by shifted suspend key
 key_stab               khts     kT        KEY_STAB, 0524, sent by set-tab key
 key_sundo              kUND     !3        KEY_SUNDO, 0626, sent by shifted undo key
 key_suspend            kspd     &7        KEY_SUSPEND, 0627, sent by suspend key
 key_undo               kund     &8        KEY_UNDO, 0630, sent by undo key
 key_up                 kcuu1    ku        KEY_UP, 0403, 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_format           fln      Lf        Label format
 label_off              rmln     LF        Turn off soft labels
 label_on               smln     LO        Turn on soft labels
 meta_off               rmm      mo        Turn off ``meta mode''
 meta_on                smm      mm        Turn on ``meta mode'' (8th bit)
 micro_column_address   mhpa     ZY        Like column_address for
                                           micro adjustment 
 micro_down             mcud1    ZZ        Like cursor_down for micro adjustment
 micro_left             mcub1    Za        Like cursor_left for micro adjustment
 micro_right            mcuf1    Zb        Like cursor_right for micro adjustment
 micro_row_address      mvpa     Zc        Like row_address for micro adjustment 
 micro_up               mcuu1    Zd        Like cursor_up for micro adjustment
 newline                nel      nw        Newline (behaves like cr followed by lf)
 order_of_pins          porder   Ze        Matches software bits to print-head pins
 orig_colors            oc       oc        Set all color(-pair)s to the original ones
 orig_pair              op       op        Set default color-pair to the original one
 pad_char               pad      pc        Pad character (rather than null)
 parm_dch               dch      DC        Delete #1 chars (G)
 parm_delete_line       dl       DL        Delete #1 lines (G)
 parm_down_cursor       cud      DO        Move down #1 lines. (G)
 parm_down_micro          mcud    Zf        Like parm_down_cursor for
                                            micro adjust. (G)
 parm_ich                 ich     IC        Insert #1 blank chars (G)
 parm_index               indn    SF        Scroll forward #1 lines. (G)
 parm_insert_line         il      AL        Add #1 new blank lines (G)
 parm_left_cursor         cub     LE        Move cursor left #1 spaces (G)
 parm_left_micro          mcub    Zg        Like parm_left_cursor for micro adjust. ()
 parm_right_cursor        cuf     RI        Move right #1 spaces. (G)
 parm_right_micro         mcuf    Zh        Like parm_right_cursor for micro adjust. ()
 parm_rindex              rin     SR        Scroll backward #1 lines. (G)
 parm_up_cursor           cuu     UP        Move cursor up #1 lines. (G)
 parm_up_micro            mcuu    Zi        Like parm_up_cursor 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
 plab_norm                pln     pn        Prog label #1 to show string #2
 print_screen             mc0     ps        Print contents of the screen
 prtr_non                 mc5p    pO        Turn on the printer for #1 bytes
 prtr_off                 mc4     pf        Turn off the printer
 prtr_on                  mc5     po        Turn on the printer
 pulse                    pulse   PU        Select pulse dialing
 quick_dial               qdial   QD        Dial phone number #1, without
                                            progress detection
 remove_clock             rmclk   RC        Remove time-of-day clock
 repeat_char              rep     rp        Repeat char #1 #2 times (G)
 req_for_input            rfi     RF        Send next input char (for ptys)
 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 (G)
 save_cursor              sc      sc        Save cursor position
 scroll_forward           ind     sf        Scroll text up
 scroll_reverse           ri      sr        Scroll text down
 select_char_set          scs     Zj        Select character set ()
 set_attributes           sgr     sa        Define the video attributes (G) #1-#9
 set_background           setb    Sb        Set current background color
 set_bottom_margin        smgb    Zk        Set bottom margin at current line
 set_bottom_margin_parm   smgbp   Zl        Set bottom margin at line #1 ()
 set_clock                sclk    SC        Set time-of-day clock
 set_color_pair           scp     sp        Set current color-pair
 set_foreground           setf    Sf        Set current foreground color1
 set_left_margin          smgl    ML        Set left margin at current line
 set_left_margin_parm     smglp   Zm        Set left margin at column #1 ()
 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_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 (G)
 start_bit_image          sbim    Zq        Start printing bit image graphics ()
 start_char_set_def       scsd    Zr        Start definition of a character set ()
 stop_bit_image           rbim    Zs        End printing bit image graphics
 stop_char_set_def        rcsd    Zt        End definition of a character set
 subscript_characters     subcs   Zu        List of ``subscript-able'' characters
 superscript_characters   supcs   Zv        List of ``superscript-able'' characters
 tab                      ht      ta        Tab to next 8-space hardware tab stop
 these_cause_cr           docr    Zw        Printing any of these chars causes cr
 to_status_line           tsl     ts        Go to status line, col #1 (G)
 tone                     tone    TO        Select touch tone dialing
 underline_char           uc      uc        Underscore one char and move past it
 up_half_line             hu      hu        Half-line up (reverse 1/2 linefeed)
 user0                    u0      u0        User string 0
 user1                    u1      u1        User string 1
 user2                    u2      u2        User string 4
 user3                    u3      u3        User string 3
 user4                    u4      u4        User string 4
 user5                    u5      u5        User string 5
 user6                    u6      u6        User string 6
 user7                    u7      u7        User string 7
 user8                    u8      u8        User string 8
 user9                    u9      u9        User string 9
 wait_tone                wait    WA        Wait for dial tone
 xoff_character           xoffc   XF        X-off character
 xon_character            xonc    XN        X-on character
 xon_character            xonc    XN        Alternate XON character (scancode mode)
 xoff_character           xoffc   XF        Alternate XOFF character (scancode mode)
 zero_motion              zerom   Zx        No motion for the subsequent character
Booleans ordered by capname
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cap-    Variable                   Termcap   Description
 name                               code
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 am      auto_right_margin          am        Terminal has automatic margins
 bw      auto_left_margin           bw        cub1 wraps from column 0 to last column
 ccc     can_change                 cc        Terminal can re-define existing color
 chts    hard_cursor                HC        Cursor is hard to see
 cpix    cpi_changes_res            YF        Changing character pitch changes resolution
 cps     print_rate                 Ym        Print rate in characters per second
 crxm    cr_cancels_micro_modem     YB        Using cr turns off micro mode
 cwin    create_window              CW        Define win #1 to go from #2,#3 to #4,#5
 da      memory_above               da        Display may be retained above the screen
 daisy   has_print_wheel            YC        Printer needs operator to change character set
 dclk    display_clock              DK        Display time-of-day clock
 db      memory_below               db        Display may be retained below the screen
 dial    dial_phone                 DI        Dial phone number #1
 eo      erase_overstrike           eo        Can erase overstrikes with a blank
 eslok   status_line_esc_ok         es        Escape can be used on the status line
 gn      generic_type               gn        Generic line type (e.g., dialup, switch)
 hc      hard_copy                  hc        Hardcopy terminal
 hls     hue_lightness_saturation   hl        Terminal uses only HLS
                                              color notation (Tektronix)
 hs      has_status_line            hs        Has extra ``status line''
 hz      tilde_glitch               hz        Hazeltine; can't print tilde (~)
 in      insert_null_glitch         in        Insert mode distinguishes nulls
 km      has_meta_key               km        Has a meta key (shift, sets parity bit)
 lpix    lpi_changes_res            YG        Changing line pitch changes resolution
 mc5i    prtr_silent
 mir     move_insert_mode           mi        Safe to move while in insert mode
 msgr    move_standout_mode         ms        Safe to move in standout modes
 npc     no_pad_char                NP        Pad character doesn't exist
 nrrmc   non_rev_rmcup              NR        smcup does not reverse rmcup
 nxon    needs_xon_xoff             nx        Padding won't work, xon/xoff required
 os      over_strike                os        Terminal overstrikes on hard-copy terminal
 sam     semi_auto_right_margin     YE        Printing in last column causes cr
 ul      transparent_underline      ul        Underline character overstrikes
 xenl    eat_newline_glitch         xn        Newline ignored after 80 columns (Concept)
 xhp     ceol_standout_glitch       xs        Standout not erased by overwriting (hp)
 xhpa    col_addr_glitch            YA        Only positive motion for hpa/mhpa caps
 xon     xon_xoff                   xo        Terminal uses xon/xoff handshaking
 xsb     no_esc_ctlc                xb        Beehive (f1=escape, f2=ctrl C)
 xt      dest_tabs_magic_smso       xt        Destructive tabs, magic smso char (t1061)
 xvpa    row_addr_glitch            YD        Only positive motion for vpa/mvpa caps
Numbers ordered by variable name
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cap-     Variable               Termcap   Description
 name                            code
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 bufsz    buffer_capacity        Ya        Number of bytes buffered before printing
 colors   max_colors             Co        Maximum number of colors on the screen
 cols     columns                co        Number of columns in a line
 cps      print_rate             Ym        Average print rate in characters per second
 it       init_tabs              it        Tabs initially every # spaces
 lh       label_height           lh        Number of rows in each label
 lines    lines                  li        Number of lines on a screen or a page
 lm       lines_of_memory        lm        Lines of memory if > lines; 0 means varies
 lw       label_width            lw        Number of columns in each label
 maddr    max_micro_address      Yd        Maximum value in micro_..._address
 mcs      micro_col_size         Yf        Character step size when in micro mode
 mjump    max_micro_jump         Ye        Maximum value in parm_..._micro
 mls      micro_line_size        Yg        Line step size when in micro mode
 ncv      no_color_video         NC        Video attributes that can't be used with colors
 nlab     num_labels             Nl        Number of labels on screen (start at 1)
 npins    number_of_pins         Yh        Number of pins in print-head
 orc      output_res_char        Yi        Horizontal resolution in units per character
 orhi     output_res_horz_inch   Yk        Horizontal resolution in units per inch
 orl      output_res_line        Yj        Vertical resolution in units per line
 orvi     output_res_vert_inch   Yl        Vertical resolution in units per inch
 pairs    max_pairs              pa        Maximum number of color-pairs on the screen
 pb       padding_baud_rate      pb        Lowest baud rate where padding needed
 spinh    dot_horz_spacing       Yc        Spacing of dots horizontally in dots per inch
 spinv    dot_vert_spacing       Yb        Spacing of pins vertically in pins per inch
 vt       virtual_terminal       vt        Virtual terminal number (UNIX system)
 widcs    wide_char_size         Yn        Character step size when in double wide mode
 wsl      width_status_line      ws        Number of columns in status line
 xmc      magic_cookie_glitch    sg        Number of blank characters left
                                           by smso or rmso
Strings ordered by variable name
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cap-     Variable               Termcap   Description
 name                            code
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 acsc     acs_chars              ac        Graphic charset pairs aAbBcC - def=vt100
 bel      bell                   bl        Audible signal (bell)
 blink    enter_blink_mode       mb        Turn on blinking
 bold     enter_bold_mode        md        Turn on bold (extra bright) mode
 cbt      back_tab               bt        Back tab
 chr      change_res_horz        ZC        Change horizontal resolution ()
 civis    cursor_invisible       vi        Make cursor invisible
 clear    clear_screen           cl        Clear screen and home cursor ()
 cmdch    command_character      CC        Terminal settable cmd character in prototype
 cnorm    cursor_normal          ve        Make cursor appear normal (undo vs/vi)
 cpi      change_char_pitch      ZA        Change number of characters per inch ()
 cr       carriage_return        cr        Carriage return ()
 csnm     char_set_names         Zy        List of character set names
 csr      change_scroll_region   cs        Change to lines #1 through #2 (vt100) (G)
 cub      parm_left_cursor       LE        Move cursor left #1 spaces (G)
 cub1     cursor_left            le        Move left one space.
 cud      parm_down_cursor       DO        Move down #1 lines. (G)
 cuf      parm_right_cursor      RI        Move right #1 spaces. (G)
 cuf1     cursor_right           nd        Non-destructive space (cursor or carriage right)
 cup      cursor_address         cm        Move to row #1 col #2 (G)
 cuu      parm_up_cursor         UP        Move cursor up #1 lines. (G)
 cvr      change_res_vert        ZD        Change vertical resolution ()
 cvvis    cursor_visible         vs        Make cursor very visible
 dch      parm_dch               DC        Delete #1 chars (G)
 dch1     delete_character       dc        Delete character ()
 defc     define_char            ZE        Define a character in a character set
 dim      enter_dim_mode         mh        Turn on half-bright mode
 dl       delete_line            dl1       Delete line ()
 dl       parm_delete_line       DL        Delete #1 lines (G)
 do       cursor_down            do        Down one line
 docr     these_cause_cr         Zw        Printing any of these chars causes cr
 dsl      dis_status_line        ds        Disable status line
 ech      erase_chars            ec        Erase #1 characters (G)
 ed       clr_eos                cd        Clear to end of display ()
 el       clr_eol                ce        Clear to end of line
 el1      clr_bol                cb        Clear to beginning of line, inclusive
 enacs    ena_acs                eA        Enable alternate character set
 ff       form_feed              ff        Hardcopy terminal page eject ()
 flash    flash_screen           vb        Visible bell (may not move cursor)
 fln      label_format           Lf        Label format
 fsl      from_status_line       fs        Return from status line
 hd       down_half_line        hd        Half-line down (forward 1/2 linefeed)
 home     cursor_home           ho        Home cursor (if no cup)
 hook     flash_hook            fh        Flash the switch hook
 hpa      column_address        ch        Horizontal position absolute (G)
 ht       tab                   ta        Tab to next 8-space hardware tab stop
 hts      set_tab               st        Set a tab in all rows, current column
 hu       up_half_line          hu        Half-line up (reverse 1/2 linefeed)
 hup      hangup                HU        Hang-up phone
 ich      parm_ich              IC        Insert #1 blank chars (G)
 ich1     insert_character      ic        Insert character
 if       init_file             if        Name of initialization file
 il       parm_insert_line      AL        Add #1 new blank lines (G)
 il1      insert_line           al        Add new blank line ()
 ind      scroll_forward        sf        Scroll text up
 indn     parm_index            SF        Scroll forward #1 lines. (G)
 initc    initialize_color      Ic        Initialize the definition of color
 initp    initialize_pair       Ip        Initialize color-pair
 invis    enter_secure_mode     mk        Turn on blank mode (characters invisible)
 ip       insert_padding        ip        Insert pad after character inserted ()
 iprog    init_prog             iP        Path name of program for initialization
 is1      init_1string          i1        Terminal or printer initialization string
 is2      init_2string          is        Terminal or printer initialization string
 is3      init_3string          i3        Terminal or printer initialization string
 kBEG     key_sbeg              &9        KEY_SBEG, 0572, sent by shifted beginning key
 kCAN     key_scancel           &0        KEY_SCANCEL, 0573, sent by shifted cancel key
 kCMD     key_scommand          1        KEY_SCOMMAND, 0574, sent by
                                          shifted command key
 kCPY     key_scopy             2        KEY_SCOPY, 0575, sent by shifted copy key
 kCRT     key_screate           3        KEY_SCREATE, 0576, sent by shifted create key
 kDC      key_sdc               4        KEY_SDC, 0577, sent by shifted delete-char key
 kDL      key_sdl               5        KEY_SDL, 0600, sent by shifted delete-line key
 kEND     key_send              7        KEY_SEND, 0602, sent by shifted end key
 kEOL     key_seol              8        KEY_SEOL, 0603, sent by shifted clear-line key
 kEXT     key_sexit             9        KEY_SEXIT, 0604, sent by shifted exit key
 kFND     key_sfind             0        KEY_SFIND, 0605, sent by shifted find key
 kHLP     key_shelp             #1        KEY_SHELP, 0606, sent by shifted help key
 kHOM     key_shome             #2        KEY_SHOME, 0607, sent by shifted home key
 kIC      key_sic               #3        KEY_SIC, 0610, sent by shifted input key
 kLFT     key_sleft             #4        KEY_SLEFT, 0611, sent by shifted left-arrow key
 kMOV     key_smove             b         KEY_SMOVE, 0613, sent by shifted move key
 kMSG     key_smessage          %a        KEY_SMESSAGE, 0612, sent by
                                          shifted message key
 kNXT     key_snext             %c        KEY_SNEXT, 0614, sent by shifted next key
 kOPT     key_soptions          %d        KEY_SOPTIONS, 0615, sent by
                                          shifted options key
 kPRT     key_sprint            %f        KEY_SPRINT, 0617, sent by shifted print key
 kPRV     key_sprevious         %e        KEY_SPREVIOUS, 0616, sent by shifted prev key
 kRDO     key_sredo             %g        KEY_SREDO, 0620, sent by shifted redo key
 kRES     key_srsume            %j        KEY_SRSUME, 0623, sent by shifted resume key
 kRIT     key_sright            %i        KEY_SRIGHT, 0622, sent by shifted right-arrow key
 kRPL     key_sreplace          %h        KEY_SREPLACE, 0621, sent by shifted replace key
 kSAV     key_ssave             !1        KEY_SSAVE, 0624, sent by shifted save key
 kSPD     key_ssuspend          !2        KEY_SSUSPEND, 0625, sent by shifted suspend key
 kUND     key_sundo             !3        KEY_SUNDO, 0626, sent by shifted undo key
 ka1      key_a1                K1        KEY_A1, 0534, upper left of keypad
 ka3      key_a3                K3        KEY_A3, 0535, upper right of keypad
 kb2      key_b2                K2        KEY_B2, 0536, center of keypad
 kbeg     key_beg               @1        KEY_BEG, 0542, sent by beg(inning) key
 kbs      key_backspace         kb        KEY_BACKSPACE, 0407, sent by backspace key
 kc1      key_c1                K4        KEY_C1, 0537, lower left of keypad
 kc3      key_c3                K5        KEY_C3, 0540, lower right of keypad
 kcan     key_cancel            @2        KEY_CANCEL, 0543, sent by cancel key
 kcbt     key_btab              kB        KEY_BTAB, 0541, sent by back-tab key
 kclo     key_close             @3        KEY_CLOSE, 0544, sent by close key
 kclr     key_clear             kC        KEY_CLEAR, 0515, sent by clear-screen or erase key
 kcmd     key_command           @4        KEY_COMMAND, 0545, sent by cmd
                                          (command) key
 kcpy     key_copy              @5        KEY_COPY, 0546, sent by copy key
 kcrt     key_create            @6        KEY_CREATE, 0547, sent by create key
 kctab    key_ctab              kt        KEY_CTAB, 0525, sent by clear-tab key
 kcub1    key_left              kl        KEY_LEFT, 0404, sent by terminal left-arrow key
 kcud1    key_down              kd        KEY_DOWN, 0402, sent by terminal
                                          down-arrow key
 kcuf1    key_right             kr        KEY_RIGHT, 0405, sent by terminal right-arrow key
 kcuu1    key_up                ku        KEY_UP, 0403, sent by terminal up-arrow key
 kdch1    key_dc                kD        KEY_DC, 0512, sent by delete-character key
 kdl1     key_dl                kL        KEY_DL, 0510, sent by delete-line key
 ked      key_eos               ked       KEY_EOS, 0516, sent by clear-to-end-of-screen key
 kel      key_eol               kE        KEY_EOL, 0517, sent by clear-to-end-of-line key
 kend     key_end               @7        KEY_END, 0550, sent by end key
 kent     key_enter             @8        KEY_ENTER, 0527, sent by enter/send key
 kext     key_exit              @9        KEY_EXIT, 0551, sent by exit key
 kf0      key_f0                k0        KEY_F(0), 0410, sent by function key f0
 kf1      key_f1                k1        KEY_F(C), 0411, sent by function key f1
 kf10     key_f10               k;        KEY_F(ADM), 0422, sent by function key f10
 kf11     key_f11               F1        KEY_F(ADM), 0423, sent by function key f11
 kf12     key_f12               F2        KEY_F(ADM), 0424, sent by function key f12
 kf13     key_f13               F3        KEY_F(ADM), 0425, sent by function key f13
 kf14     key_f14               F4        KEY_F(ADM), 0426, sent by function key f14
 kf15     key_f15               F5        KEY_F(ADM), 0427, sent by function key f15
 kf16     key_f16               F6        KEY_F(ADM), 0430, sent by function key f16
 kf17     key_f17               F7        KEY_F(ADM), 0431, sent by function key f17
 kf18     key_f18               F8        KEY_F(ADM), 0432, sent by function key f18
 kf19     key_f19               F9        KEY_F(ADM), 0433, sent by function key f19
 kf2      key_f2                k2        KEY_F(S), 0412, sent by function key f2
 kf20     key_f20               FA        KEY_F(20), 0434, sent by function key f20
 kf21     key_f21               FB        KEY_F(21), 0435, sent by function key f21
 kf22     key_f22               FC        KEY_F(22), 0436, sent by function key f22
 kf23     key_f23               FD        KEY_F(23), 0437, sent by function key f23
 kf24     key_f24               FE        KEY_F(24), 0440, sent by function key f24
 kf25     key_f25               FF        KEY_F(25), 0441, sent by function key f25
 kf26     key_f26               FG        KEY_F(26), 0442, sent by function key f26
 kf27     key_f27               FH        KEY_F(27), 0443, sent by function key f27
 kf28     key_f28               FI        KEY_F(28), 0444, sent by function key f28
 kf29     key_f29               FJ        KEY_F(29), 0445, sent by function key f29
 kf3      key_f3                k3        KEY_F(S), 0413, sent by function key f3
 kf30     key_f30               FK        KEY_F(S), 0446, sent by function key f30
 kf31     key_f31               FL        KEY_F(S), 0447, sent by function key f31
 kf32     key_f32               FM        KEY_F(S), 0450, sent by function key f32
 kf33     key_f33               FN        KEY_F(ADM), 0451, sent by function key f33
 kf34     key_f34               FO        KEY_F(S), 0452, sent by function key f34
 kf35     key_f35               FP        KEY_F(S), 0453, sent by function key f35
 kf36     key_f36               FQ        KEY_F(S), 0454, sent by function key f36
 kf37     key_f37               FR        KEY_F(S), 0455, sent by function key f37
 kf38     key_f38               FS        KEY_F(S), 0456, sent by function key f38
 kf39     key_f39               FT        KEY_F(S), 0457, sent by function key f39
 kf4      key_f4                k4        KEY_F(F), 0414, sent by function key f4
 kf40     key_f40               FU        KEY_F(40), 0460, sent by function key f40
 kf41     key_f41               FV        KEY_F(41), 0461, sent by function key f41
 kf42     key_f42               FW        KEY_F(42), 0462, sent by function key f42
 kf43     key_f43               FX        KEY_F(43), 0463, sent by function key f43
 kf44     key_f44               FY        KEY_F(44), 0464, sent by function key f44
 kf45     key_f45               FZ        KEY_F(45), 0465, sent by function key f45
 kf46     key_f46               Fa        KEY_F(46), 0466, sent by function key f46
 kf47     key_f47               Fb        KEY_F(47), 0467, sent by function key f47
 kf48     key_f48               Fc        KEY_F(48), 0470, sent by function key f48
 kf5      key_f5                k5        KEY_F(M), 0415, sent by function key f5
 kf50     key_f50               Fe        KEY_F(50), 0472, sent by function key f50
 kf51     key_f51                     Ff        KEY_F(51), 0473, sent by function key f51
 kf52     key_f52                     Fg        KEY_F(52), 0474, sent by function key f52
 kf53     key_f53                     Fh        KEY_F(53), 0475, sent by function key f53
 kf54     key_f54                     Fi        KEY_F(54), 0476, sent by function key f54
 kf55     key_f55                     Fj        KEY_F(55), 0477, sent by function key f55
 kf56     key_f56                     Fk        KEY_F(56), 0500, sent by function key f56
 kf57     key_f57                     Fl        KEY_F(57), 0501, sent by function key f57
 kf58     key_f58                     Fm        KEY_F(58), 0502, sent by function key f58
 kf59     key_f59                     Fn        KEY_F(59), 0503, sent by function key f59
 kf6      key_f6                      k6        KEY_F(6), 0416, sent by function key f6
 kf60     key_f60                     Fo        KEY_F(60), 0504, sent by function key f60
 kf61     key_f61                     Fp        KEY_F(61), 0505, sent by function key f61
 kf62     key_f62                     Fq        KEY_F(62), 0506, sent by function key f62
 kf63     key_f63                     Fr        KEY_F(63), 0507, sent by function key f63
 kf7      key_f7                      k7        KEY_F(7), 0417, sent by function key f7
 Kf8      key_f8                      k8        KEY_F(8), 0420, sent by function key f8
 kf9      key_f9                      k9        KEY_F(9), 0421, sent by function key f9
 kfnd     key_find                    @0        KEY_FIND, 0552, sent by find key
 khlp     key_help                    %1        KEY_HELP, 0553, sent by help key
 khome    key_home                    kh        KEY_HOME, 0406, sent by home key
 khts     key_stab                    kT        KEY_STAB, 0524, sent by set-tab key
 kich1    key_ic                      kI        KEY_IC, 0513, sent by ins-char/enter ins-mode key
 kil1     key_il                      kA        KEY_IL, 0511, sent by insert-line key
 kind     key_sf                      kF        KEY_SF, 0520, sent by scroll-forward/down key
 kll      key_ll                      kH        KEY_LL, 0533, sent by home-down key
 kmov     key_move                    %4        KEY_MOVE, 0556, sent by move key
 kmrk     key_mark                    %2        KEY_MARK, 0554, sent by mark key
 kmsg     key_message                 %3        KEY_MESSAGE, 0555, sent by message key
 knp      key_npage                   kN        KEY_NPAGE, 0522, sent by next-page key
 knxt     key_next                    %5        KEY_NEXT, 0557, sent by next-object key
 kopn     key_open                    %6        KEY_OPEN, 0560, sent by open key
 kopt     key_options                 %7        KEY_OPTIONS, 0561, sent by options key
 kpp      key_ppage                   kP        KEY_PPAGE, 0523, sent by previous-page key
 kprt     key_print                   %9        KEY_PRINT, 0532, sent by print or copy key
 kprv     key_previous                %8        KEY_PREVIOUS, 0562, sent by previous-object key
 krdo     key_redo                    %0        KEY_REDO, 0563, sent by redo key
 kref     key_reference               &1        KEY_REFERENCE, 0564, sent by ref(erence) key
 kres     key_resume                  &5        KEY_RESUME, 0570, sent by resume key
 krfr     key_refresh                 &2        KEY_REFRESH, 0565, sent by refresh key
 kri      key_sr                      kR        KEY_SR, 0521, sent by scroll-backward/up key
 krmir    key_eic                     kM        KEY_EIC, 0514, sent by rmir or smir in insert mode
 krpl     key_replace                 &3        KEY_REPLACE, 0566, sent by replace key
 krst     key_restart                 &4        KEY_RESTART, 0567, sent by restart key
 ksav     key_save                    &6        KEY_SAVE, 0571, sent by save key
 kslt     key_select                  6        KEY_SELECT, 0601, sent by select key
 kspd     key_suspend                 &7        KEY_SUSPEND, 0627, sent by suspend key
 ktbc     key_catab                   ka        KEY_CATAB, 0526, sent by clear-all-tabs key
 kund     key_undo                    &8        KEY_UNDO, 0630, sent by undo key
 lf0      lab_f0                      l0        Labels on function key f0 if not f0
 lf1      lab_f1                      l1        Labels on function key f1 if not f1
 lf10     lab_f10                     la        Labels on function key f10 if not f10
 lf2      lab_f2                      l2        Labels on function key f2 if not f2
 lf3      lab_f3                      l3        Labels on function key f3 if not f3
 lf4      lab_f4                      l4        Labels on function key f4 if not f4
 lf5      lab_f5                      l5        Labels on function key f5 if not f5
 lf6      lab_f6                      l6        Labels on function key f6 if not f6
 lf7      lab_f7                      l7        Labels on function key f7 if not f7
 lf8      lab_f8                      l8        Labels on function key f8 if not f8
 lf9      lab_f9                      l9        Labels on function key f9 if not f9
 ll       cursor_to_ll                ll        Last line, first column (if no cup)
 lpi      change_line_pitch           ZB        Change number of lines per inch 
 ma       max_attributes              ma        Maximum combined video attributes
                                                terminal can display
 mc0      print_screen                ps        Print contents of the screen
 mc4      prtr_off                    pf        Turn off the printer
 mc5      prtr_on                     po        Turn on the printer
 mc5p     prtr_non                    pO        Turn on the printer for #1 bytes
 mcub     parm_left_micro             Zg        Like parm_left_cursor for micro adjust. 
 mcub1    micro_left                  Za        Like cursor_left for micro adjustment
 mcud     parm_down_micro             Zf        Like parm_down_cursor for micro adjust. (G)
 mcud1    micro_down                  ZZ        Like cursor_down for micro adjustment
 mcuf     parm_right_micro            Zh        Like parm_right_cursor for micro adjust. 
 mcuf1    micro_right                 Zb        Like cursor_right for micro adjustment
 mcuu     parm_up_micro               Zi        Like parm_up_cursor for micro adjust. 
 mcuu1    micro_up                    Zd        Like cursor_up for micro adjustment
 mgc      clear_margins               MC        Clear all margins (top, bottom, and sides)
 mhpa     micro_column_address        ZY        Like column_address for micro adjustment 
 mrcup    cursor_mem_address          CM        Memory relative cursor addressing (G)
 mvpa     micro_row_address           Zc        Like row_address for micro adjustment 
 ndscr    non_dest_scroll_region      ND        Scrolling region is non-destructive
 nel      newline                     nw        Newline (behaves like cr followed by lf)
 oc       orig_colors                 oc        Set all color(-pair)s to the original ones
 op       orig_pair                   op        Set default color-pair to the original one
 pad      pad_char                    pc        Pad character (rather than null)
 pause    fixed_pause                 PA        Pause for 2-3 seconds
 pfkey    pkey_key                    pk        Prog funct key #1 to type string #2
 pfloc    pkey_local                  pl        Prog funct key #1 to execute string #2
 pfx      pkey_xmit                   px        Prog funct key #1 to xmit string #2
 pln      plab_norm                   pn        Prog label #1 to show string #2
 porder   order_of_pins               Ze        Matches software bits to print-head pins
 prot     enter_protected_mode        mp        Turn on protected mode
 pulse    pulse                       PU        Select pulse dialing
 qdial    quick_dial                  QD        Dial phone number #1, without progress detection
 rbim     stop_bit_image              Zs        End printing bit image graphics
 rc       restore_cursor              rc        Restore cursor to position of last sc
 rcsd     stop_char_set_def           Zt        End definition of a character set
 rep      repeat_char                 rp        Repeat char #1 #2 times (G)
 rev      enter_reverse_mode          mr        Turn on reverse video mode
 rf       reset_file                  rf        Name of file containing reset string
 rfi      req_for_input               RF        Send next input char (for ptys)
 ri       scroll_reverse              sr        Scroll text down
 rin      parm_rindex                 SR        Scroll backward #1 lines. (G)
 ritm     exit_italics_mode           ZR        Disable italics
 rlm      exit_leftward_mode          ZS        Enable rightward (normal) carriage motion
 rmacs    exit_alt_charset_mode       ae        End alternate character set
 rmam     exit_am_mode                RA        Turn off automatic margins
 rmclk    remove_clock                RC        Remove time-of-day clock
 rmcup    exit_ca_mode                te        String to end programs that use cup
 rmdc     exit_delete_mode            ed        End delete mode
 rmicm    exit_micro_mode             ZT        Disable micro motion capabilities
 rmir     exit_insert_mode            ei        End insert mode
 rmkx     keypad_local                ke        Out of ``keypad-transmit'' mode
 rmln     label_off                   LF        Turn off soft labels
 rmm      meta_off                    mo        Turn off "meta mode"
 rmp      char_padding                rP        Like ip but when in replace mode
 rmso     exit_standout_mode          se        End standout mode
 rmul     exit_underline_mode         ue        End underscore mode
 rmxon    exit_xon_mode               RX        Turn off xon/xoff handshaking
 rs1      reset_1string               r1        Reset terminal completely to sane modes
 rs2      reset_2string               r2        Reset terminal completely to sane modes
 rs3      reset_3string               r3        Reset terminal completely to sane modes
 rshm     exit_shadow_mode            ZU        Disable shadow printing
 rsubm    exit_subscript_mode         ZV        Disable subscript printing
 rsupm    exit_superscript_mode       ZW        Disable superscript printing
 rum      exit_upward_mode            ZX        Enable downward (normal) carriage motion
 rwidm    exit_doublewide_mode        ZQ        Disable double wide printing
 sbim     start_bit_image             Zq        Start printing bit image graphics 
 sc       save_cursor                 sc        Save cursor position
 sclk     set_clock                   SC        Set time-of-day clock
 scp      set_color_pair              sp        Set current color-pair
 scs      select_char_set             Zj        Select character set 
 scsd     start_char_set_def          Zr        Start definition of a character set 
 sdrfq    enter_draft_quality         ZG        Set draft quality print
 setb     set_background              Sb        Set current background color
 setf     set_foreground              Sf        Set current foreground color
 sgr      set_attributes              sa        Define the video attributes #1-#9 (G)
 sgr0     exit_attribute_mode         me        Turn off all attributes
 sitm     enter_italics_mode          ZH        Enable italics
 slm      enter_leftward_mode         ZI        Enable leftward carriage motion
 smacs    enter_alt_charset_mode      as        Start alternate character set
 smam     enter_am_mode               SA        Turn on automatic margins
 smcup    enter_ca_mode               ti        String to begin programs that use cup
 smdc     enter_delete_mode           dm        Delete mode (enter)
 smgb     set_bottom_margin           Zk        Set bottom margin at current line
 smgbp    set_bottom_margin_parm      Zl        Set bottom margin at line #1 
 smgl     set_left_margin             ML        Set left margin at current line
 smglp    set_left_margin_parm        Zm        Set left margin at column #1 
 smgr     set_right_margin            MR        Set right margin at current column
 smgrp    set_right_margin_parm       Zn        Set right margin at column #1 
 smgt     set_top_margin              Zo        Set top margin at current line
 smgtp    set_top_margin_parm         Zp        Set top margin at line #1 
 smicm    enter_micro_mode            ZJ        Enable micro motion capabilities
 smir     enter_insert_mode           im        Insert mode (enter)
 smkx     keypad_xmit                 ks        Put terminal in ``keypad-transmit'' mode
 smln     label_on                    LO        Turn on soft labels
 smm      meta_on                     mm        Turn on ``meta mode'' (8th bit)
 smso     enter_standout_mode         so        Begin standout mode
 smxon    enter_xon_mode              SX        Turn on xon/xoff handshaking
 snlq     enter_near_letter_quality   ZK        Set near-letter quality print
 snrmq    enter_normal_quality        ZL        Set normal quality print
 sshm     enter_shadow_mode           ZM        Enable shadow printing
 ssubm    enter_subscript_mode        ZN        Enable subscript printing
 ssupm    enter_superscript_mode      ZO        Enable superscript printing
 subcs    subscript_characters        Zu        List of ``subscript-able'' characters
 sum      enter_upward_mode           ZP        Enable upward carriage motion
 supcs    superscript_characters      Zv        List of ``superscript-able'' characters
 swidm    enter_doublewide_mode       ZF        Enable double wide printing
 tbc      clear_all_tabs              ct        Clear all tab stops
 tone     tone                        TO        Select touch tone dialing
 tsl      to_status_line              ts        Go to status line, col #1 (G)
 u0       user0                       u0        User string 0
 u1       user1                       u1        User string 1
 u2       user2                       u2        User string 2
 u3       user3                       u3        User string 3
 u4       user4                       u4        User string 4
 u5       user5                       u5        User string 5

 u6       user6                       u6        User string 6
 u7       user7                       u7        User string 7
 u8       user8                       u8        User string 8
 u9       user9                       u9        User string 9
 uc       underline_char              uc        Underscore one char and move past it
 up       cursor_up                   cuu1      Upline (cursor up)
 vpa      row_address                 cv        Vertical position absolute (G)
 wait     wait_tone                   WA        Wait for dial tone
 wind     set_window                  wi        Current window is lines #1-#2 cols #3-#4 (G)
 wingo    goto_window                 WG        Got to window #1
 wnum     maximum_windows             MW        Maximum number of definable windows
 xoffc    xoff_character              XF        X-off character
 xonc     xon_character               XN        X-on character
 zerom    zero_motion                 Zx        No motion for the subsequent character

Sample entry

The following entry for the AT&T 610 terminal is among the more complex entries in the terminfo file.

610 | 610bct | ATT610 | att610 | AT&T 610; 80 column; 98key keyboard
	am, eslok, hs, mir, msgr, xenl, xon,
	cols#80, it#8, lh#2, lines#24, lw#8, nlab#8, wsl#80,
	acsc=``aaffggjjkkllmmnnooppqqrrssttuuvvwwxxyyzz{{ | | }}~~,
	bel=^G, blink=\E[5m, bold=\E[1m, cbt=\E[Z,
	civis=\E[?25l, clear=\E[H\E[J, cnorm=\E[?25h\E[?12l,
	cr=\r, csr=\E[%i%p1%d;%p2%dr, cub=\E[%p1%dD, cub1=\b,
	cud=\E[%p1%dB, cud1=\E[B, cuf=\E[%p1%dC, cuf1=\E[C,
	cup=\E[%i%p1%d;%p2%dH, cuu=\E[%p1%dA, cuu1=\E[A,
	cvvis=\E[?12;25h, dch=\E[%p1%dP, dch1=\E[P, dim=\E[2m,
	dl=\E[%p1%dM, dl1=\E[M, ed=\E[J, el=\E[K, el1=\E[1K,
	flash=\E[?5h$<200>\E[?5l, fsl=\E8, home=\E[H, ht=\t,
	ich=\E[%p1%d@, il=\E[%p1%dL, il1=\E[L, ind=\ED,
	invis=\E[8m,
	is1=\E[8;0 | \E[?3;4;5;13;15l\E[13;20l\E[?7h\E[12h\E(B\E)0,
	is2=\E[0m^O, is3=\E(B\E)0, kLFT=\E[\s@, kRIT=\E[\sA,
	kbs=\b, kcbt=\E[Z, kclr=\E[2J, kcub1=\E[D, kcud1=\E[B,
	kcuf1=\E[C, kcuu1=\E[A, kf1=\EOc, kf10=\ENp,
	kf11=\ENq, kf12=\ENr, kf13=\ENs, kf14=\ENt, kf2=\EOd,
	kf3=\EOe, kf4=\EOf, kf5=\EOg, kf6=\EOh, kf7=\EOi,
	kf8=\EOj, kf9=\ENo, khome=\E[H, kind=\E[S, kri=\E[T,
	ll=\E[24H, mc4=\E[?4i, mc5=\E[?5i, nel=\EE,
	pfx=\E[%p1%d;%p2%l%02dq\s\s\sF%p1%1d\s\s\s\s\s
\s\s\s\s\s\s%p2%s,
	pln=\E[%p1%d;0;0;0q%p2%:-16.16s, rc=\E8, rev=\E[7m,
	ri=\EM, rmacs=^O, rmir=\E[4l, rmln=\E[2p, rmso=\E[m,
	rmul=\E[m, rs2=\Ec\E[?3l, sc=\E7,
	sgr=\E[0%?%p6%t;1%;%?%p5%t;2%;%?%p2%t;4%;%?%p4%t;5%;
%?%p3%p1% | %t;7%;%?%p7%t;8%;m%?%p9%t^N%e^O%;,
	sgr0=\E[m^O, smacs=^N, smir=\E[4h, smln=\E[p,
	smso=\E[7m, smul=\E[4m, tsl=\E7\E[25;%i%p1%dx,

Types of capabilities in the sample entry

The sample entry shows the formats for the three types of terminfo capabilities listed: Boolean, Numeric, and String. The names of Boolean capabilities are often listed as abbreviations or acronyms, such as am (short for ``automatic margins'') in the sample entry. (``Automatic margins'' is a short description of an automatic return and linefeed when the end of a line is reached.)

Numeric capabilities are followed by the character ``#'' and then the value. Thus, in the sample, cols (which shows the number of columns available on a terminal) gives the value 80 for the AT&T 610. (Values for numeric capabilities may be specified in decimal, octal or hexadecimal, using normal C conventions.)

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

A ``/'' indicates that the padding is mandatory. Absence of a ``/'' is not shown, if the terminal has xon defined. Padding information is advisory and will be used only for cost estimates or when the terminal is in raw mode. Mandatory padding will be transmitted regardless of the setting of xon.

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, and \s give a newline, linefeed, return, tab, backspace, formfeed, and space, respectively. Other escapes include: \^ for caret (^); \\ for backslash (\); \, for comma (,); \: for colon (:); and \0 for null. (\0 will actually produce \200, which does not terminate a string but behaves as a null character on most terminals.) Finally, characters may be given as three octal digits after a backslash (for example, \123).

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

Preparing descriptions

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

Basic capabilities

The number of columns on each line for the terminal is given by the cols numeric capability. If the terminal has a screen, then the number of lines on the screen is given by the lines 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 the 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 (such as a bell or a beep), specify it as bel. If the terminal uses the xon-xoff flow-control protocol, like most terminals, specify xon.

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=\s'' because the space would erase the character moved over.

A very important point here is that the local cursor motions encoded in terminfo are undefined at the left and top edges of a screen terminal. Programs should never attempt to backspace around the left edge, unless bw is given, and should 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.

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. 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; that is, 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 screen terminals. Thus the model 33 teleprinter is described as:

   hc, os, xon
      cols#72,
      bel=^G, cr=\r, cud1=\n, ind=\n,
while the Lear Siegler ADM-3 is described as:
      adm3|lsi adm3,
      am, bel=^G, clear=^Z, cols#80, cr=^M, cub1=^H,
      cud1=^J, ind=^J, lines#24,

Parameterized strings

Cursor addressing and other strings requiring parameters in the terminal are described by a parameterized string capability, with printf(S) -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 in the manner of a Reverse Polish Notation (postfix) calculator. 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. Binary operations are in postfix form with the operands in the usual order. That is, to get x-5 one would use %gx%{5}%-.

The % encodings have the following meanings:


%% outputs `%'
%[[:]flags][width[.precision]][doxXs]
as in printf, flags are [-+#] and space
%c print pop() gives %c

%p[1-9] push ith parm
%P[a-z] set variable [a-z] to pop()
%g[a-z] get variable [a-z] and push it
%'c' push char constant c
%{nn} push decimal constant nn
%l push strlen(pop())

%+ %- %* %/ %m
arithmetic (%m is mod): push(pop() op pop())
%& %| %^ bit operations: push(pop() op pop())
%= %> %< logical operations: push(pop() op pop())
%A %O logical operations: and, or
%! %~ unary operations: push(op pop())
%i (for ANSI terminals)
add 1 to first parm, if one parm present,
or first two parms, if more than one parm present

%? expr %t thenpart %e elsepart %;
if-then-else, %e elsepart is optional;
else-if's are possible ala Algol 68:
%? c1 %t b1 %e c2 %t b2 %e c3 %t b3 %e c4 %t b4 %e b5%;

ci are conditions, bi are bodies.

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

Consider the Hewlett-Packard 2645, which, to get to row 3 and column 12, needs to be sent \E&a12c03Y padded for 6 milliseconds. Note that the order of the rows and columns is inverted here, and that the row and column are zero-padded as two digits. Thus its cup capability is ``cup=\E&a%p2%2.2dc%p1%2.2dY$<6>''.

The Micro-Term ACT-IV needs the current row and column sent preceded by a ^T, with the row and column simply encoded in binary, ``cup=^T%p1%c%p2%c''. 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%'\s'%+%c%p2%'\s'%+%c''. After sending ``\E='', this pushes the first parameter, pushes the ASCII value for a space (S), 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.

Cursor motions

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

If the 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 Hewlett-Packard 2645) and can be used in preference to cup. If there are parameterized local motions (for example, move n spaces to the right) these can be given as cud, cub, cuf, and cuu with a single parameter indicating how many spaces to move. These are primarily useful if the terminal does not have cup, such as the Tektronix 4025.

Area clears

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

Insert/delete line

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

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

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

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 a full screen 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 operations 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 versus multiline insert mode, and special treatment of untyped spaces) no terminals whose insert mode cannot be described with the single attribute have been seen.

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 padding 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 insert n blanks.

If padding is necessary between characters typed while not in insert mode, give this as a number of milliseconds padding in rmp.

It is occasionally necessary to move around while in insert mode to delete characters on the same line (for example, 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

Your terminal may have one or more kinds of display attributes that allow you to highlight selected characters when they appear on the screen. The following display modes (shown with the names by which they are set) may be available: a blinking screen (blink), bold or extra-bright characters (bold), dim or half-bright characters (dim), blanking or invisible text (invis), protected text (prot), a reverse-video screen (rev), and an alternate character set (smacs to enter this mode and rmacs to exit it). (If a command is necessary before you can enter alternate character set mode, give the sequence in enacs or ``enable alternate-character-set'' mode.) Turning on any of these modes singly may or may not turn off other modes.

If you set any display attributes for highlighting, you will also want to provide the capability for turning them off. To do so, set sgr0.

You should choose one display method as standout mode (see curses(S)) and use it to highlight error messages and other kinds of text to which you want to draw attention. Choose a form of display that provides strong contrast but that is easy on the eyes. (We recommend reverse-video plus half-bright 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 Micro-Term MIME, this can be given as uc.

For historical reasons, some programs interpret rmso, rmul to mean ``turn off all attributes'', not just standout and underline, respectively.

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

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 Hewlett-Packard 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. A good flash can be done by changing the screen into reverse video, pad for 200 ms, then return the screen to normal video.

If the cursor needs to be made more visible than normal when it is not on the bottom line (for example, to make a non-blinking underline into an easier-to-find block or blinking underline) give this sequence as cvvis. The boolean chts should also be given. 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 either 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, such as 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 the smcup sequence will not restore the screen after a rmcup sequence is output (to the state prior to outputting rmcup), specify nrrmc.

If your terminal generates underlined characters by using the underline character (with no special codes needed) even though it does not otherwise overstrike characters, then you should give the capability ul. For terminals where a character overstriking another leaves both characters on the screen, give the capability os. If overstrikes are erasable with a blank, then this should be indicated by giving eo.

Example of highlighting: assume that the terminal under question needs the following escape sequences to turn on various modes.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------
 Tparm         Attribute      Escape sequence
 parameter
 ---------------------------------------------------------------
               none           \E[0m
    p1         standout       \E[0;4;7m
    p2         underline      \E[0;3m
    p3         reverse        \E[0;4m
    p4         blink          \E[0;5m
    p5         dim            \E[0;7m
    p6         bold           \E[0;3;4m
    p7         invis          \E[0;8m
               protect        not available
    p9         altcharset     ^O (off) ^N(on)
Note that each escape sequence requires a 0 to turn off other modes before turning on its own mode. Also note that, as suggested above, standout is set up to be the combination of reverse and dim. Also, because this terminal has no bold mode, bold is set up as the combination of reverse and underline. In addition, to allow combinations, such as underline+blink, the sequence to use would be \E[0;3;5m. The terminal does not have protect mode, either, but that cannot be simulated in any way, so is ignored. The altcharset mode is different in that it is either ^O or ^N, depending on whether it is off or on. If all modes were to be turned on, the sequence would be \E[0;3;4;5;7;8m^N.

Now look at when different sequences are output. For example, ;3 is output when either p2 or p6 is true; that is, if either underline or bold modes are turned on. Writing out the above sequences, along with their dependencies, gives the following:

 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 Sequence          When to output             Terminfo translation
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 \E[0              always                     \E[0
 ;3                if p2 or p6                %?%p2%p6%|%t;3%;
 ;4                if p1 or p3 or p6          %?%p1%p3%|%p6%|%t;4%;
 ;5                if p4                      %?%p4%t;5%;
 ;7                if p1 or p5                %?%p1%p5%|%t;7%;
 ;8                if p7                      %?%p7%t;8%;
 m                 always                     m
 ^N or ^O          if p9 ^N, else ^O          %?%p9%t^N%e^O%;
Putting this all together into the sgr sequence gives:

sgr=\E[0%?%p2%p6%|%t;3%;%?%p1%p3%|%p6%|%t;4%;%?%p5%t;5%;

%?%p1%p5%|%t;7%;%?%p7%t;8%;m%?%p9%t^N%e^O%;,

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 Hewlett-Packard 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 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, ..., f63, the codes they send can be given as kf0, kf1, ..., kf63. If the first 11 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. Further keys are defined above in the capabilities list.

Strings to program function keys can be given as pfkey, pfloc, and pfx. A string to program their soft-screen labels can be given as pln. 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 give the same result as the user typing the given string; pfloc causes the string to be executed by the terminal in local mode; and pfx causes the string to be transmitted to the computer. The capabilities nlab, lw, and lh define how many soft labels there are and their width and height. If there are commands to turn the labels on and off, give them in smln and rmln. smln is normally output after one or more pln sequences to make sure that the change becomes visible. 

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 left 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 tput init (see tput(C)) 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. 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).

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 must be sent to the terminal each time the user logs in and be output in the following order: run the program iprog; output is1; output is2; set the margins using mgc, smgl, and smgr; set the tabs using tbc and hts; print the file if; and finally output is3. This is usually done using the init option of tput; see profile(M).

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. Sequences that do a harder reset from a totally unknown state can be given as rs1, rs2, rf, and rs3, analogous to is1, is2, is3, and if. (The method using files, if and rf, is used for a few terminals, from /usr/lib/tabset/*; however, the recommended method is to use the initialization and reset strings.) These strings are output by tput reset, which is used when the terminal gets into a wedged state. Commands are normally placed in rs1, rs2, rs3, and rf only if they produce annoying effects on the screen and are not necessary when logging in.

For example, the command to set a terminal into 80-column mode would normally be part of is2, but on some terminals it causes an annoying glitch on the screen and is not normally needed since the terminal is usually already in 80-column mode.

If a more complex sequence is needed to set the tabs than can be described by using tbc and hts, the sequence can be placed in is2 or if.

Any margin can be cleared with mgc. (For instructions on how to specify commands to set and clear margins, see ``Margins'' under ``Part 2: Printer capabilities'').

Delays

Certain capabilities control padding in the tty(7) driver. These are primarily needed by hard-copy terminals, and are used by tput init to set tty modes appropriately. Delays embedded in the capabilities cr, ind, cub1, ff, and tab can be used to set the appropriate delay bits to be set in the tty driver. If pb (padding baud rate) is given, these values can be ignored at baud rates below the value of pb.

Status lines

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 that go to a given column of the status line and 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 capability 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, for example, 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. 

Line graphics

If the terminal has a line drawing alternate character set, the mapping of glyph to character would be given in acsc. The definition of this string is based on the alternate character set used in the DEC VT100 terminal, extended slightly with some characters from the AT&T 4410v1 terminal.
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Glyph name                 vt100+
                            character
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 arrow pointing right       +
 arrow pointing left        ,
 arrow pointing down        .
 solid square block         0
 lantern symbol             I
 arrow pointing up          -
 diamond                    `
 checker board (stipple)    a
 degree symbol              f
 plus/minus                 g
 board of squares           h
 lower right corner         j
 upper right corner         k
 upper left corner          l
 lower left corner          m
 plus                       n
 scan line 1                o
 horizontal line            q
 scan line 9                s
 left tee (|-)              t
 right tee (-|)             u
 bottom tee ()             v
 top tee ()                w
 vertical line              x
 bullet                     ~
The best way to describe a new terminal's line graphics set is to add a third column to the above table with the characters for the new terminal that produce the appropriate glyph when the terminal is in the alternate character set mode. For example,
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Glyph name                 vt100+      new tty
                            character   character
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 upper left corner          l           R
 lower left corner          m           F
 upper right corner         k           T
 lower right corner         j           G
 horizontal line            q           ,
 vertical line              x           .
Now write down the characters left to right, as in ``acsc=lRmFkTjGq\,x.''.

In addition, terminfo allows you to define multiple character sets. See ``Alternate character sets'' for details.

Color manipulation

There are two methods of color manipulation: the HP method and the Tektronix method. Most existing color terminals belong to one of these two classes.

The Tektronix method uses a set of N predefined colors (usually 8) from which a user can select ``current'' foreground and background colors. Thus the terminal can support up to N colors mixed into N*N color-pairs to be displayed on the screen at the same time.

The HP method restricts the user from defining the foreground independently of the background, or vice-versa. Instead, the user must define an entire color-pair at once. Up to M color-pairs, made from 2*M different colors, can be defined this way.

The numeric variables colors and pairs define the number of colors and color-pairs that can be displayed on the screen at the same time. If a terminal can change the definition of a color (for example, the Tektronix 4100 and 4200 series terminals can do this), this should be specified with ccc (can change color). To change the definition of a color (Tektronix method), use initc (initialize color). It requires four arguments: color number (ranging from 0 to colors-1) and three RGB (red, green, and blue) values (ranging from 0 to 1,000).

Tektronix 4100 series terminals use a type of color notation called HLS (Hue Lightness Saturation) instead of RGB color notation. For such terminals one must define a boolean variable hls. The last three arguments to the initc string would then be HLS values: H, ranging from 0 to 360; and L and S, ranging from 0 to 100.

If a terminal can change the definitions of colors, but uses a color notation different from RGB and HLS, a mapping to either RGB or HLS must be developed.

To set current foreground or background to a given color, use setf (set foreground) and setb (set background). They require one parameter: the number of the color. To initialize a color-pair (HP method), use initp (initialize pair). It requires seven parameters: the number of a color-pair (range = 0 to pairs-1), and six RGB values: three for the foreground followed by three for the background. (Each of these groups of three should be in the order RGB.) When initc or initp are used, RGB or HLS arguments should be in the order ``red, green, blue'' or ``hue, lightness, saturation''), respectively. To make a color-pair current, use scp (set color-pair). It takes one parameter, the number of a color-pair.

Some terminals (for example, most color terminal emulators for PCs) erase areas of the screen with current background color. In such cases, bce (background color erase) should be defined. The variable op (original pair) contains a sequence for setting the foreground and the background colors to what they were at the terminal start-up time. Similarly, oc (original colors) contains a control sequence for setting all colors (for the Tektronix method) or color-pairs (for the HP method) to the values they had at the terminal start-up time.

Some color terminals substitute color for video attributes. Such video attributes should not be combined with colors. Information about these video attributes should be packed into the ncv (no color video) variable. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the nine least significant bits of that variable and the video attributes. The following table depicts this correspondence.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Attribute                  NCV Bit
                            number
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 A_STANDOUT                 0
 A_UNDERLINE                1
 A_REVERSE                  2
 A_BLINK                    3
 A_DIM                      4
 A_BOLD                     5
 A_INVIS                    6
 A_PROTECT                  7
 A_ALTCHARSET               8
When a particular video attribute should not be used with colors, the corresponding ncv bit should be set to 1; otherwise it should be set to zero. For example, if the terminal uses colors to simulate reverse video and bold, bits 2 and 5 should be set to 1. The resulting values for ncv will be 22.

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 does not have a pad character, specify npc.

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: If the environment variable CC exists, all occurrences of the prototype character are replaced with the character in CC.

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 is one of those supported by the UNIX system virtual terminal protocol, the terminal number can be given as vt. A line-turn-around sequence to be transmitted before doing reads should be specified in rfi.

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. Sequences to turn on and off xon/xoff handshaking may be given in smxon and rmxon. If the characters used for handshaking are not ^S and ^Q, they may be specified with xonc and xoffc.

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.

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. 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. If the text is not displayed on the terminal screen when the printer is on, specify mc5i (silent printer). All text, including mc4, is transparently passed to the printer while an mc5p is in effect.

Special cases

The working model used by terminfo fits most terminals reasonably well. However, some terminals do not completely match that model, requiring special support by terminfo. These are not to be construed as deficiencies in the terminals; they are just differences between the working model and the actual hardware. They may be unusual devices or, for some reason, do not have all the features of the terminfo model implemented.

Terminals which can not display tilde () characters, such as certain Hazeltine terminals, should indicate hz.

Terminals which ignore a linefeed immediately after an am wrap, such as the Concept 100, should indicate xenl. Those terminals whose cursor remains on the right-most column until another character has been received, rather than wrapping immediately upon receiving the right-most character, such as the VT100, should also indicate xenl.

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

Those Teleray terminals whose tabs turn all characters moved over to blanks, should indicate xt (destructive tabs). This capability is also taken to mean that it is not possible to position the cursor on top of a ``magic cookie'' therefore, to erase standout mode, it is instead necessary to use delete and insert line.

Those Beehive Superbee terminals which do not transmit the escape or control-C characters, should specify xsb, indicating that the <F1> key is to be used for escape and the <F2> key for <Ctrl>c.

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
att4424-2|Teletype 4424 in display function group ii,
rev@, sgr@, smul@, use=att4424,
defines an AT&T 4424 terminal that does not have the rev, sgr, and smul capabilities, and hence cannot do highlighting. This is useful for different modes for a terminal, or for different user preferences. More than one use capability may be given. 

Part 2: Printer capabilities

The terminfo database allows you to define capabilities of printers as well as terminals. To find out what capabilities are available for printers as well as for terminals, see the two lists under ``Part 1: Terminal capabilities'' that list capabilities by variable and by capability name.

Rounding values

Because parameterized string capabilities work only with integer values, we recommend that terminfo designers create strings that expect numeric values that have been rounded. Application designers should note this and should always round values to the nearest integer before using them with a parameterized string capability.

Printer resolution

A printer's resolution is defined to be the smallest spacing of characters it can achieve. In general printers have independent resolution horizontally and vertically. Thus the vertical resolution of a printer can be determined by measuring the smallest achievable distance between consecutive printing baselines, while the horizontal resolution can be determined by measuring the smallest achievable distance between the left-most edges of consecutive printed, identical, characters.

All printers are assumed to be capable of printing with a uniform horizontal and vertical resolution. The view of printing that the terminfo currently presents is one of printing inside a uniform matrix: All characters are printed at fixed positions relative to each ``cell'' in the matrix; furthermore, each cell has the same size given by the smallest horizontal and vertical step sizes dictated by the resolution. (The cell size can be changed as will be seen later.)

Many printers are capable of ``proportional printing'', where the horizontal spacing depends on the size of the character last printed. The terminfo does not make use of this capability, although it does provide enough capability definitions to allow an application to simulate proportional printing.

A printer must not only be able to print characters as close together as the horizontal and vertical resolutions suggest, but also of ``moving'' to a position an integral multiple of the smallest distance away from a previous position. Thus printed characters can be spaced apart a distance that is an integral multiple of the smallest distance, up to the length or width of a single page.

Some printers can have different resolutions depending on different ``modes''. In ``normal mode'', the existing terminfo capabilities are assumed to work on columns and lines, just like a video terminal. Thus the old lines capability would give the length of a page in lines, and the cols capability would give the width of a page in columns. In ``micro mode'', many terminfo capabilities work on increments of lines and columns. With some printers the micro mode may be concomitant with normal mode, so that all the capabilities work at the same time.

Specifying printer resolution

The printing resolution of a printer is given in several ways. Each specifies the resolution as the number of smallest steps per distance:

Specification of printer resolution

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Characteristic             Number of smallest steps
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 orhi                       Steps per inch horizontally
 orvi                       Steps per inch vertically
 orc                        Steps per column
 orl                        Steps per line
When printing in normal mode, each character printed causes movement to the next column, except in special cases described later; the distance moved is the same as the per-column resolution. Some printers cause an automatic movement to the next line when a character is printed in the rightmost position; the distance moved vertically is the same as the per-line resolution. When printing in micro mode, these distances can be different, and may be zero for some printers.

Specification of printer resolution

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Automatic motion after printing
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Normal Mode:.
 orc                        Steps moved horizontally
 orl                        Steps moved vertically
 Micro Mode: 
 mcs                        Steps moved horizontally
 mls                        Steps moved vertically
Some printers are capable of printing wide characters. The distance moved when a wide character is printed in normal mode may be different from when a regular width character is printed. The distance moved when a wide character is printed in micro mode may also be different from when a regular character is printed in micro mode, but the differences are assumed to be related: If the distance moved for a regular character is the same whether in normal mode or micro mode (mcs=orc), then the distance moved for a wide character is also the same whether in normal mode or micro mode. This doesn't mean the normal character distance is necessarily the same as the wide character distance, just that the distances do not change with a change in normal to micro mode. However, if the distance moved for a regular character is different in micro mode from the distance moved in normal mode\5 (mcs<orc), the micro mode distance is assumed to be the same for a wide character printed in micro mode, as the table below shows.

Specification of printer resolution

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Automatic motion after printing wide character
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Normal Mode or Micro Mode (mcs = orc): 
 widcs                      Steps moved horizontally
 Micro Mode (mcs < orc): 
 mcs                        Steps moved horizontally

There may be control sequences to change the number of columns per inch (the character pitch) and to change the number of lines per inch (the line pitch). If these are used, the resolution of the printer changes, but the type of change depends on the printer:

Specification of printer resolution

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Changing the character/line pitches
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 cpi                        Change character pitch
 cpix                       If set, cpi changes orhi, otherwise changes orc 
 lpi                        Change line pitch
 lpix                       If set, lpi changes orvi, otherwise changes orl 
 chr                        Change steps per column
 cvr                        Change steps per line

The cpi and lpi string capabilities are each used with a single argument, the pitch in columns (or characters) and lines per inch, respectively. The chr and cvr string capabilities are each used with a single argument, the number of steps per column and line, respectively.

Using any of the control sequences in these strings will imply a change in some of the values of orc, orhi, orl, and orvi. Also, the distance moved when a wide character is printed, widcs, changes in relation to orc. The distance moved when a character is printed in micro mode, mcs, changes similarly, with one exception: if the distance is 0 or 1, then no change is assumed (see item marked with ** in the following table).

Programs that use cpi, lpi, chr, or cvr should recalculate the printer resolution (and should recalculate other values -- see ``Effect of changing printing resolution'').

Specification of printer resolution

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Effects of changing the character/line pitches
 Before                              After
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Using cpi with cpix clear: 
 orhi'                               orhi 
 orc'                                orc = orhi / Vcpi 
 Using cpi with cpix set: 
 orhi'                               orhi = orc  Vcpi 
 orc'                                orc 
 Using lpi with lpix clear: 
 orvi'                               orvi 
 orl'                                orl = orvi / Vlpi 
 Using lpi with lpix set: 
 orvi'                               orvi = orl  Vlpi 
 orl'                                orl 
 Using chr: 
 orhi'                               orhi 
 orc'                                Vchr 
 Using cvr: 
 orvi'                               orvi 
 orl'                                Vcvr 
 Using cpi or chr: 
 widcs'                              widcs = widcs'  orc / orc' 
 mcs'                              mcs = mcs'  orc / orc' 

Vcpi, Vlpi, Vchr, and Vcvr are the arguments used with cpi, lpi, chr, and cvr respectively. The ** mark indicates the old value.

Capabilities that cause movement

In the following descriptions, ``movement'' refers to the motion of the ``current position''. With video terminals this would be the cursor; with some printers this is the carriage position. Other printers have different equivalents. In general, the current position is where a character would be displayed if printed.

terminfo has string capabilities for control sequences that cause movement a number of full columns or lines. It also has equivalent string capabilities for control sequences that cause movement a number of smallest steps.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 String capabilities for motion
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 mcub1                      Move 1 step left
 mcuf1                      Move 1 step right
 mcuu1                      Move 1 step up
 mcud1                      Move 1 step down
 mcub                       Move N steps left
 mcuf                       Move N steps right
 mcuu                       Move N steps up
 mcud                       Move N steps down
 mhpa                       Move N steps from the left
 mvpa                       Move N steps from the top
The latter six strings are each used with a single argument, N.

Sometimes the motion is limited to less than the width or length of a page. Also, some printers do not accept absolute motion to the left of the current position. terminfo has capabilities for specifying these limits.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Limits to motion
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 mjump                      Limit on use of mcub1, mcuf1, mcuu1, mcud1 
 maddr                      Limit on use of mhpa, mvpa 
 xhpa                       If set, hpa and mhpa can't move left
 xvpa                       If set, vpa and mvpa can't move up
If a printer needs to be in a ``micro mode'' for the motion capabilities described above to work, there are string capabilities defined to contain the control sequence to enter and exit this mode. A boolean is available for those printers where using a carriage return causes an automatic return to normal mode.
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Entering/Exiting micro mode
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 smicm                      Enter micro mode
 rmicm                      Exit micro mode
 crxm                       Using cr exits micro mode
The movement made when a character is printed in the rightmost position varies among printers. Some make no movement, some move to the beginning of the next line, others move to the beginning of the same line. terminfo has boolean capabilities for describing all three cases.
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 What happens after character printed in rightmost position
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 sam                        Automatic move to beginning of same line
Some printers can be put in a mode where the normal direction of motion is reversed. This mode can be especially useful when no capabilities exist for leftward or upward motion, because those capabilities can be built from the motion reversal capability and the rightward or downward motion capabilities. It is best to leave it up to an application to build the leftward or upward capabilities, though, and not enter them in the terminfo database. This allows several reverse motions to be strung together without intervening wasted steps that leave and reenter reverse mode.
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Entering/Exiting reverse modes
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 slm                        Reverse sense of horizontal motions
 rlm                        Restore sense of horizontal motions
 sum                        Reverse sense of vertical motions
 rum                        Restore sense of vertical motions
 While sense of horizontal motions reversed:
 mcub1                      Move 1 step right
 mcuf1                      Move 1 step left
 mcub                       Move N steps right
 mcuf                       Move N steps left
 cub1                       Move 1 column right
 cuf1                       Move 1 column left
 cub                        Move N columns right
 cuf                        Move N columns left
 While sense of vertical motions reversed:
 mcuu1                      Move 1 step down
 mcud1                      Move 1 step up
 mcuu                       Move N steps down
 mcud                       Move N steps up
 cuu1                       Move 1 line down
 cud1                       Move 1 line up
 cuu                        Move N lines down
 cud                        Move N lines up
The reverse motion modes should not affect the mvpa and mhpa absolute motion capabilities. The reverse vertical motion mode should, however, also reverse the action of the line ``wrapping'' that occurs when a character is printed in the right most position. Thus printers that have the standard terminfo capability am defined should experience motion to the beginning of the previous line when a character is printed in the right-most position under reverse vertical motion mode.

The action when any other motion capabilities are used in reverse motion modes is not defined; thus, programs must exit reverse motion modes before using other motion capabilities.

Two miscellaneous capabilities complete the list of new motion capabilities. One of these is needed for printers that move the current position to the beginning of a line when certain control characters, like ``line-feed'' or ``form-feed'', are used. The other is used for the capability of suspending the motion that normally occurs after printing a character.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Miscellaneous motion strings
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 docr                       List of control characters causing cr 
 zerom                      Prevent auto motion after printing next single
                            character


Margins

terminfo provides two strings for setting margins on terminals: one for the left and one for the right margin. Printers, however, have two additional margins, for the top and bottom margins of each page. Furthermore, some printers do not require using motion strings to move the current position to a margin and fixing the margin there, as with the existing capabilities, but require the specification of where a margin should be regardless of the current position. Therefore terminfo offers six additional strings for defining margins with printers.
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Setting                    Margins
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 smgl                       Set left margin at current column
 smgr                       Set right margin at current column
 smgb                       Set soft bottom margin at current line
 smgt                       Set soft top margin at current line
 smgbp                      Set soft bottom margin at line N 
 smglp                      Set soft left margin at column N 
 smgrp                      Set soft right margin at column N 
 smgtp                      Set soft top margin at line N 
The last four strings are used with a single argument, N, that gives the line or column number, where line 0 is the top line and column 0 is the leftmost column.

Note that not all printers use 0 for the top line or the leftmost column.

All margins can be cleared with mgc.

Shadows, italics, wide characters, superscripts, subscripts

Five new sets of strings are used to describe the capabilities printers have of enhancing printed text.
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Enhanced printing
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 sshm                       Enter shadow-printing mode
 rshm                       Exit shadow-printing mode
 sitm                       Enter italicizing mode
 ritm                       Exit italicizing mode
 swidm                      Enter wide character mode
 rwidm                      Exit wide character mode
 ssupm                      Enter superscript mode
 rsupm                      Exit superscript mode
 supcs                      List of characters available as superscripts
 ssubm                      Enter subscript mode
 rsubm                      Exit subscript mode
 subcs                      List of characters available as subscripts
If a printer requires the sshm control sequence before every character to be shadow-printed, the rshm string is left blank. Thus programs that find a control sequence in sshm but none in rshm should use the sshm control sequence before every character to be shadow-printed; otherwise, the sshm control sequence should be used once before the set of characters to be shadow-printed, followed by rshm. The same is also true of each of the sitm/ritm, swidm/rwidm, ssupm/rsupm, and ssubm/rsubm pairs.

Note that terminfo also has a capability for printing emboldened text (bold). While shadow printing and emboldened printing are similar in that they ``darken'' the text, many printers produce these two types of print in slightly different ways. Generally, emboldened printing is done by overstriking the same character one or more times. Shadow printing likewise usually involves overstriking, but with a slight movement up and/or to the side so that the character is ``fatter''.

It is assumed that enhanced printing modes are independent modes, so that it would be possible, for instance, to shadow print italicized subscripts.

As mentioned earlier, the amount of motion automatically made after printing a wide character should be given in widcs.

If only a subset of the printable ASCII characters can be printed as superscripts or subscripts, they should be listed in supcs or subcs strings, respectively. If the ssupm or ssubm strings contain control sequences, but the corresponding supcs or subcs strings are empty, it is assumed that all printable ASCII characters are available as superscripts or subscripts.

Automatic motion made after printing a superscript or subscript is assumed to be the same as for regular characters. Thus, for example, printing any of the following three examples will result in equivalent motion:

Bi Bi Bi

Note that the existing msgr boolean capability describes whether motion control sequences can be used while in ``standout mode''. This capability is extended to cover the enhanced printing modes added here. msgr should be set for those printers that accept any motion control sequences without affecting shadow, italicized, widened, superscript, or subscript printing. Conversely, if msgr is not set, a program should end these modes before attempting any motion. 

Alternate character sets

In addition to allowing you to define line graphics (described in ``Line graphics''), terminfo also lets you define alternate character sets. The following capabilities cover printers and terminals with multiple selectable or definable character sets.
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Alternate character sets
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 scs                        Select character set N 
 scsd                       Start definition of character set N, M characters
 defc                       Define character A, B dots wide, descender D 
 rcsd                       End definition of character set N 
 csnm                       List of character set names
 daisy                      Printer has manually changed print-wheels
The scs, rcsd, and csnm strings are used with a single argument, N, a number from 0 to 63 that identifies the character set. The scsd string is also used with the argument N and another, M, that gives the number of characters in the set. The defc string is used with three arguments: A gives the ASCII code representation for the character, B gives the width of the character in dots, and D is zero or one depending on whether the character is a ``descender'' or not. The defc string is also followed by a string of ``image-data'' bytes that describe how the character looks (see below).

Character set 0 is the default character set present after the printer has been initialized. Not every printer has 64 character sets, of course; using scs with an argument that does not select an available character set should cause a null result from tparm().

If a character set has to be defined before it can be used, the scsd control sequence is to be used before defining the character set, and the rcsd is to be used after. They should also cause a null result from tparm() when used with an argument N that doesn't apply. If a character set still has to be selected after being defined, the scs control sequence should follow the rcsd control sequence. By examining the results of using each of the scs, scsd, and rcsd strings with a character set number in a call to tparm(), a program can determine which of the three are needed.

Between use of the scsd and rcsd strings, the defc string should be used to define each character. To print any character on printers covered by terminfo, the ASCII code is sent to the printer. This is true for characters in an alternate set as well as ``normal'' characters. Thus the definition of a character includes the ASCII code that represents it. In addition, the width of the character in dots is given, along with an indication of whether the character should descend below the print line (like the lower case letter ``g'' in most character sets). The width of the character in dots also indicates the number of image-data bytes that will follow the defc string. These image-data bytes indicate where in a dot-matrix pattern ink should be applied to ``draw'' the character; the number of these bytes and their form are defined below under ``Dot-matrix graphics''.

It is easiest for the creator of terminfo entries to refer to each character set by number; however, these numbers will be meaningless to the application developer. The csnm string alleviates this problem by providing names for each number.

When used with a character set number in a call to tparm(), the csnm string will produce the equivalent name. These names should be used as a reference only. No naming convention is implied, although anyone who creates a terminfo entry for a printer should use names consistent with the names found in user documents for the printer. Application developers should allow a user to specify a character set by number (leaving it up to the user to examine the csnm string to determine the correct number), or by name, where the application examines the csnm string to determine the corresponding character set number.

These capabilities are likely to be used only with dot-matrix printers. If they are not available, the strings should not be defined. For printers that have manually changed print-wheels or font cartridges, the boolean daisy is set. 

Dot-matrix graphics

Dot-matrix printers typically have the capability of reproducing ``raster-graphics'' images. Three new numeric capabilities and three new string capabilities can help a program draw raster-graphics images independent of the type of dot-matrix printer or the number of pins or dots the printer can handle at one time.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Dot-matrix graphics
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 npins                      Number of pins, N, in print-head
 spinv                      Spacing of pins vertically in pins per inch
 spinh                      Spacing of dots horizontally in dots per inch
 porder                     Matches software bits to print-head pins
 sbim                       Start printing bit image graphics, B bits wide
 rbim                       End printing bit image graphics
The sbim string is used with a single argument, B, the width of the image in dots.

The model of dot-matrix or raster-graphics that the terminfo presents is similar to the technique used for most dot-matrix printers: each pass of the printer's print-head is assumed to produce a dot-matrix that is N dots high and B dots wide. This is typically a wide, squat, rectangle of dots. The height of this rectangle in dots will vary from one printer to the next; this is given in the npins numeric capability. The size of the rectangle in fractions of an inch will also vary; it can be deduced from the spinv and spinh numeric capabilities. With these three values an application can divide a complete raster-graphics image into several horizontal strips, perhaps interpolating to account for different dot spacing vertically and horizontally.

The sbim and rbim strings are used to start and end a dot-matrix image, respectively. The sbim string is used with a single argument that gives the width of the dot-matrix in dots. A sequence of ``image-data bytes'' are sent to the printer after the sbim string and before the rbim string. The number of bytes is an integral multiple of the width of the dot-matrix; the multiple and the form of each byte is determined by the porder string as described below.

The porder string is a comma separated list of pin numbers; the position of each pin number in the list corresponds to a bit in a data byte. The pins are numbered consecutively from 1 to npins, with 1 being the top pin. Note that the term ``pin'' is used loosely here; ``ink-jet'' dot-matrix printers do not have pins, but can be considered to have an equivalent method of applying a single dot of ink to paper. The bit positions in porder are in groups of 8, with the first position in each group the most significant bit and the last position the least significant bit.

The ``image-data bytes'' are to be computed from the dot-matrix image, mapping vertical dot positions in each print-head pass into eight-bit bytes, using a 1 bit where ink should be applied and 0 where no ink should be applied. If a position is skipped in porder, a 0 bit is used. There must be a multiple of 8 bit positions used or skipped in porder; if not, 0 bits are used to fill the last byte in the least significant bits. 

Effect of changing printing resolution

If the control sequences to change the character pitch or the line pitch are used, the pin or dot spacing may change:
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Dot-matrix graphics
 Changing the character/line pitches
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 cpi                        Change character pitch
 cpix                       If set, cpi changes spinh 
 lpi                        Change line pitch
 lpix                       If set, lpi changes spinv 
Programs that use cpi or lpi should recalculate the dot spacing:
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Dot-matrix graphics
 Effects of changing the character/line pitches
 Before                     After
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Using cpi with cpix clear: 
 spinh'                     spinh 

 Using cpi with cpix set: 
 spinh'                     spinh = spinh'  orhi / orhi' 

 Using lpi with lpix clear: 
 spinv'                     spinv 

 Using lpi with lpix set: 
 spinv'                     spinv = spinv'  orhi / orhi' 

 Using chr: 
 spinh'                     spinh 

 Using cvr: 
 spinv'                     spinv 
orhi' and orhi are the values of the horizontal resolution in steps per inch, before using cpi and after using cpi, respectively. Likewise, orvi' and orvi are the values of the vertical resolution in steps per inch, before using lpi and after using lpi, respectively. Thus, the changes in the dots per inch for dot-matrix graphics follow the changes in steps per inch for printer resolution.

Print quality

Many dot-matrix printers can alter the dot spacing of printed text to produce near ``letter quality'' printing or ``draft quality'' printing. Usually, it is important to be able to choose one or the other because the rate of printing generally falls off as the quality improves. There are three new strings used to describe these capabilities.
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Print quality
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 snlq                       Set near-letter quality print
 snrmq                      Set normal quality print
 sdrfq                      Set draft quality print
The capabilities are listed in decreasing levels of quality. If a printer does not have all three levels, one or two of the strings should be left blank as appropriate.

Printing rate and buffer size

Because there is no standard protocol that can be used to keep a program synchronized with a printer, and because modern printers can buffer data before printing it, a program generally cannot determine at any time what has been printed. Two new numeric capabilities can help a program estimate what has been printed.
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Print rate/buffer size
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 cps                        Nominal print rate in characters per second
 bufsz                      Buffer capacity in characters
cps is the nominal or average rate at which the printer prints characters; if this value is not given, the rate should be estimated at one-tenth the prevailing baud rate. bufsz is the maximum number of subsequent characters buffered before the guaranteed printing of an earlier character, assuming proper flow control has been used. If this value is not given it is assumed that the printer does not buffer characters, but prints them as they are received.

As an example, if a printer has a 1000-character buffer, then sending the letter ``a'' followed by 1000 additional characters is guaranteed to cause the letter ``a'' to print. If the same printer prints at the rate of 100 characters per second, then it should take 10 seconds to print all the characters in the buffer, less if the buffer is not full. By keeping track of the characters sent to a printer, and knowing the print rate and buffer size, a program can synchronize itself with the printer.

Note that most printer manufacturers advertise the maximum print rate, not the nominal print rate. A good way to get a value to put in for cps is to generate a few pages of text, count the number of printable characters, then see how long it takes to print the text.

Applications that use these values should recognize the variability in the print rate. Straight text, in short lines, with no embedded control sequences will probably print at close to the advertised print rate and probably faster than the rate in cps. Graphics data with a lot of control sequences, or very long lines of text, will print at well below the advertised rate and below the rate in cps. If the application is using cps to decide how long it should take a printer to print a block of text, the application should pad the estimate. If the application is using cps to decide how much text has already been printed, it should shrink the estimate. The application will thus err in favor of the user, who wants, above all, to see all the output in its correct place.

Warning

As described in the ``Tabs and initialization'' section above, a terminal's initialization strings, is1, is2, and is3, if defined, must be output before a curses program is run. An available mechanism for outputting such strings is tput init (see tput(C) and profile(M)).

If a null character (\0) is encountered in a string, the null and all characters after it are lost. Therefore it is not possible to code a null character (\0) and send it to a device (either terminal or printer). The suggestion of sending a \0200, where a \0 (null) is needed can succeed only if the device (terminal or printer) ignores the eighth bit. For example, because all eight bits are used in the standard international ASCII character set, devices that adhere to this standard will treat \0200 differently from \0.

Tampering with entries in /usr/lib/.COREterm/?/* or /usr/lib/terminfo/?/* (for example, changing or removing an entry) can affect programs such as vi that expect the entry to be present and correct. In particular, removing the description for the ``dumb'' terminal will cause unexpected problems.

Files

/usr/lib/terminfo/?/*
compiled terminal description database

/usr/lib/.COREterm/?/*
subset of compiled terminal description database

/usr/lib/tabset/*
tab settings for some terminals, in a format appropriate to be output to the terminal (escape sequences that set margins and tabs)

See also

captoinfo(ADM), curses(S), infocmp(ADM), printf(S), profile(M), term(M),
terminfo(F), tic(C), tput(C), vi(C)

SCO OpenServer Release 5.0.6 -- 1 August 2000