terminfo
Section: (pj)
Updated: 2022-01-06
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DESCRIPTION
The terminfo database is at /usr/share/terminfo/, although
you can pick up files from elsewhere using $TERMINFO or
$TERMINFO_DIRS.
You can also create an alternate database at
$HOME/.terminfo/.
This database consists of a separate file for each terminal type.
You can see your terminal type in the $TERM variable.
Each file is in binary format, but you can print the capabilities in
text with infocmp(1M).
Just say, "infocmp xterm" and you get all the capabilities for
xterms.
To compile a binary file from a text file, use tic(1M).
The terminfo(5) man page explains what all the different capability
codes mean.
Here a few of the capabilities for xterms:
-
setaf=\\E[3%p1%dm # set ascii foreground.
setab=\\E[4%p1%dm # set ascii background.
clear=\\E[H\\E[25 # clear the screen.
Those %-codes are like printf codes.
They work like a stack.
%p1 means push the first argument on the stack.
%p2 means push the second, etc.
%d means a decimal argument.
%c is char and %s is string.
So to set the foreground to color 5, you actually send a command like
this:
-
echo -ne 'ha[[35m'
Remember that you can get a literal escape by typing
CTRL-V <ESC>.
SEE ALSO
infocmp(1M), tic(1M), terminfo(5).
AUTHORS
Paul A. Jungwirth.
Index
- DESCRIPTION
-
- SEE ALSO
-
- AUTHORS
-
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Time: 21:16:02 GMT, January 04, 2026