HP-UX Reference (11i v2 07/12) - 3 Library Functions A-M (vol 6)

i
initscr(3X) initscr(3X)
(CURSES)
NAME
initscr(), newterm() - screen initialisation functions
SYNOPSIS
#include <curses.h>
WINDOW *initscr(void);
SCREEN *newterm(char *type, FILE *outfile, FILE *infile);
DESCRIPTION
The initscr() function determines the terminal type and initialises all implementation data structures.
The TERM environment variable specifies the terminal type. The
initscr() function also causes the
first refresh operation to clear the screen. If errors occur,
initscr() writes an appropriate error mes-
sage to standard error and exits. The only functions that can be called before
initscr() or
newterm() are filter(), ripoffline() , slk_init()
, use_env() and the functions whose
prototypes are defined in
<term.h>
. Portable applications must not call initscr() twice.
The
newterm() function can be called as many times as desired to attach a terminal device. The type
argument points to a string specifying the terminal type, except that if type is a null pointer, the
TERM
environment variable is used. The outfile and infile arguments are file pointers for output to the terminal
and input from the terminal, respectively. It is unspecified whether Curses modifies the buffering mode of
these file pointers. The newterm() function should be called once for each terminal.
The initscr() function is equivalent to:
newterm(getenv("TERM"), stdout, stdin);
return stdscr;
If the current disposition for the signals SIGINT, SIGQUIT or SIGTSTP is SIGDFL, then
initscr()
may also install a handler for the signal, which may remain in effect for the life of the process or until the
process changes the disposition of the signal.
The initscr() and newterm() functions initialise the cur_term external variable.
RETURN VALUE
Upon successful completion, initscr() returns a pointer to stdscr . Otherwise, it does not return.
Upon successful completion, newterm() returns a pointer to the specified terminal. Otherwise, it returns
a null pointer.
ERRORS
No errors are defined.
APPLICATION USAGE
A program that outputs to more than one terminal should use newterm() for each terminal instead of
initscr(). A program that needs an indication of error conditions, so it can continue to run in a line-
oriented mode if the terminal cannot support a screen-oriented program, would also use this function.
Applications should perform any required handling of the SIGINT, SIGQUIT or SIGTSTP signals before
calling initscr().
SEE ALSO
delscreen(3X), doupdate(3X), del_curterm(3X), filter(3X), slk_attroff(3X), use_env(3X), terminfo(4), see
Selecting a Terminal, <curses.h>.
CHANGE HISTORY
First released in X/Open Curses, Issue 2.
X/Open Curses, Issue 4
The newterm() function is merged with this entry. In previous issues, it appeared in an entry of its own.
The entry is rewritten for clarity. The argument list for the initscr() function is explicitly declared as
void.
HP-UX 11i Version 2: December 2007 Update − 1 − Hewlett-Packard Company 655