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1:mod:`curses` --- Terminal handling for character-cell displays
2===============================================================
3
4.. module:: curses
5   :synopsis: An interface to the curses library, providing portable
6              terminal handling.
7   :platform: Unix
8
9.. sectionauthor:: Moshe Zadka <moshez@zadka.site.co.il>
10.. sectionauthor:: Eric Raymond <esr@thyrsus.com>
11
12--------------
13
14The :mod:`curses` module provides an interface to the curses library, the
15de-facto standard for portable advanced terminal handling.
16
17While curses is most widely used in the Unix environment, versions are available
18for Windows, DOS, and possibly other systems as well.  This extension module is
19designed to match the API of ncurses, an open-source curses library hosted on
20Linux and the BSD variants of Unix.
21
22.. note::
23
24   Whenever the documentation mentions a *character* it can be specified
25   as an integer, a one-character Unicode string or a one-byte byte string.
26
27   Whenever the documentation mentions a *character string* it can be specified
28   as a Unicode string or a byte string.
29
30.. note::
31
32   Since version 5.4, the ncurses library decides how to interpret non-ASCII data
33   using the ``nl_langinfo`` function.  That means that you have to call
34   :func:`locale.setlocale` in the application and encode Unicode strings
35   using one of the system's available encodings.  This example uses the
36   system's default encoding::
37
38      import locale
39      locale.setlocale(locale.LC_ALL, '')
40      code = locale.getpreferredencoding()
41
42   Then use *code* as the encoding for :meth:`str.encode` calls.
43
44.. seealso::
45
46   Module :mod:`curses.ascii`
47      Utilities for working with ASCII characters, regardless of your locale settings.
48
49   Module :mod:`curses.panel`
50      A panel stack extension that adds depth to  curses windows.
51
52   Module :mod:`curses.textpad`
53      Editable text widget for curses supporting  :program:`Emacs`\ -like bindings.
54
55   :ref:`curses-howto`
56      Tutorial material on using curses with Python, by Andrew Kuchling and Eric
57      Raymond.
58
59   The :source:`Tools/demo/` directory in the Python source distribution contains
60   some example programs using the curses bindings provided by this module.
61
62
63.. _curses-functions:
64
65Functions
66---------
67
68The module :mod:`curses` defines the following exception:
69
70
71.. exception:: error
72
73   Exception raised when a curses library function returns an error.
74
75.. note::
76
77   Whenever *x* or *y* arguments to a function or a method are optional, they
78   default to the current cursor location. Whenever *attr* is optional, it defaults
79   to :const:`A_NORMAL`.
80
81The module :mod:`curses` defines the following functions:
82
83
84.. function:: baudrate()
85
86   Return the output speed of the terminal in bits per second.  On software
87   terminal emulators it will have a fixed high value. Included for historical
88   reasons; in former times, it was used to  write output loops for time delays and
89   occasionally to change interfaces depending on the line speed.
90
91
92.. function:: beep()
93
94   Emit a short attention sound.
95
96
97.. function:: can_change_color()
98
99   Return ``True`` or ``False``, depending on whether the programmer can change the colors
100   displayed by the terminal.
101
102
103.. function:: cbreak()
104
105   Enter cbreak mode.  In cbreak mode (sometimes called "rare" mode) normal tty
106   line buffering is turned off and characters are available to be read one by one.
107   However, unlike raw mode, special characters (interrupt, quit, suspend, and flow
108   control) retain their effects on the tty driver and calling program.  Calling
109   first :func:`raw` then :func:`cbreak` leaves the terminal in cbreak mode.
110
111
112.. function:: color_content(color_number)
113
114   Return the intensity of the red, green, and blue (RGB) components in the color
115   *color_number*, which must be between ``0`` and :const:`COLORS`.  Return a 3-tuple,
116   containing the R,G,B values for the given color, which will be between
117   ``0`` (no component) and ``1000`` (maximum amount of component).
118
119
120.. function:: color_pair(color_number)
121
122   Return the attribute value for displaying text in the specified color.  This
123   attribute value can be combined with :const:`A_STANDOUT`, :const:`A_REVERSE`,
124   and the other :const:`A_\*` attributes.  :func:`pair_number` is the counterpart
125   to this function.
126
127
128.. function:: curs_set(visibility)
129
130   Set the cursor state.  *visibility* can be set to ``0``, ``1``, or ``2``, for invisible,
131   normal, or very visible.  If the terminal supports the visibility requested, return the
132   previous cursor state; otherwise raise an exception.  On many
133   terminals, the "visible" mode is an underline cursor and the "very visible" mode
134   is a block cursor.
135
136
137.. function:: def_prog_mode()
138
139   Save the current terminal mode as the "program" mode, the mode when the running
140   program is using curses.  (Its counterpart is the "shell" mode, for when the
141   program is not in curses.)  Subsequent calls to :func:`reset_prog_mode` will
142   restore this mode.
143
144
145.. function:: def_shell_mode()
146
147   Save the current terminal mode as the "shell" mode, the mode when the running
148   program is not using curses.  (Its counterpart is the "program" mode, when the
149   program is using curses capabilities.) Subsequent calls to
150   :func:`reset_shell_mode` will restore this mode.
151
152
153.. function:: delay_output(ms)
154
155   Insert an *ms* millisecond pause in output.
156
157
158.. function:: doupdate()
159
160   Update the physical screen.  The curses library keeps two data structures, one
161   representing the current physical screen contents and a virtual screen
162   representing the desired next state.  The :func:`doupdate` ground updates the
163   physical screen to match the virtual screen.
164
165   The virtual screen may be updated by a :meth:`~window.noutrefresh` call after write
166   operations such as :meth:`~window.addstr` have been performed on a window.  The normal
167   :meth:`~window.refresh` call is simply :meth:`!noutrefresh` followed by :func:`!doupdate`;
168   if you have to update multiple windows, you can speed performance and perhaps
169   reduce screen flicker by issuing :meth:`!noutrefresh` calls on all windows,
170   followed by a single :func:`!doupdate`.
171
172
173.. function:: echo()
174
175   Enter echo mode.  In echo mode, each character input is echoed to the screen as
176   it is entered.
177
178
179.. function:: endwin()
180
181   De-initialize the library, and return terminal to normal status.
182
183
184.. function:: erasechar()
185
186   Return the user's current erase character as a one-byte bytes object.  Under Unix operating systems this
187   is a property of the controlling tty of the curses program, and is not set by
188   the curses library itself.
189
190
191.. function:: filter()
192
193   The :func:`.filter` routine, if used, must be called before :func:`initscr` is
194   called.  The effect is that, during those calls, :envvar:`LINES` is set to ``1``; the
195   capabilities ``clear``, ``cup``, ``cud``, ``cud1``, ``cuu1``, ``cuu``, ``vpa`` are disabled; and the ``home``
196   string is set to the value of ``cr``. The effect is that the cursor is confined to
197   the current line, and so are screen updates.  This may be used for enabling
198   character-at-a-time  line editing without touching the rest of the screen.
199
200
201.. function:: flash()
202
203   Flash the screen.  That is, change it to reverse-video and then change it back
204   in a short interval.  Some people prefer such as 'visible bell' to the audible
205   attention signal produced by :func:`beep`.
206
207
208.. function:: flushinp()
209
210   Flush all input buffers.  This throws away any  typeahead  that  has been typed
211   by the user and has not yet been processed by the program.
212
213
214.. function:: getmouse()
215
216   After :meth:`~window.getch` returns :const:`KEY_MOUSE` to signal a mouse event, this
217   method should be call to retrieve the queued mouse event, represented as a
218   5-tuple ``(id, x, y, z, bstate)``. *id* is an ID value used to distinguish
219   multiple devices, and *x*, *y*, *z* are the event's coordinates.  (*z* is
220   currently unused.)  *bstate* is an integer value whose bits will be set to
221   indicate the type of event, and will be the bitwise OR of one or more of the
222   following constants, where *n* is the button number from 1 to 4:
223   :const:`BUTTONn_PRESSED`, :const:`BUTTONn_RELEASED`, :const:`BUTTONn_CLICKED`,
224   :const:`BUTTONn_DOUBLE_CLICKED`, :const:`BUTTONn_TRIPLE_CLICKED`,
225   :const:`BUTTON_SHIFT`, :const:`BUTTON_CTRL`, :const:`BUTTON_ALT`.
226
227
228.. function:: getsyx()
229
230   Return the current coordinates of the virtual screen cursor as a tuple
231   ``(y, x)``.  If :meth:`leaveok <window.leaveok>` is currently ``True``, then return ``(-1, -1)``.
232
233
234.. function:: getwin(file)
235
236   Read window related data stored in the file by an earlier :func:`putwin` call.
237   The routine then creates and initializes a new window using that data, returning
238   the new window object.
239
240
241.. function:: has_colors()
242
243   Return ``True`` if the terminal can display colors; otherwise, return ``False``.
244
245
246.. function:: has_ic()
247
248   Return ``True`` if the terminal has insert- and delete-character capabilities.
249   This function is included for historical reasons only, as all modern software
250   terminal emulators have such capabilities.
251
252
253.. function:: has_il()
254
255   Return ``True`` if the terminal has insert- and delete-line capabilities, or can
256   simulate  them  using scrolling regions. This function is included for
257   historical reasons only, as all modern software terminal emulators have such
258   capabilities.
259
260
261.. function:: has_key(ch)
262
263   Take a key value *ch*, and return ``True`` if the current terminal type recognizes
264   a key with that value.
265
266
267.. function:: halfdelay(tenths)
268
269   Used for half-delay mode, which is similar to cbreak mode in that characters
270   typed by the user are immediately available to the program. However, after
271   blocking for *tenths* tenths of seconds, raise an exception if nothing has
272   been typed.  The value of *tenths* must be a number between ``1`` and ``255``.  Use
273   :func:`nocbreak` to leave half-delay mode.
274
275
276.. function:: init_color(color_number, r, g, b)
277
278   Change the definition of a color, taking the number of the color to be changed
279   followed by three RGB values (for the amounts of red, green, and blue
280   components).  The value of *color_number* must be between ``0`` and
281   :const:`COLORS`.  Each of *r*, *g*, *b*, must be a value between ``0`` and
282   ``1000``.  When :func:`init_color` is used, all occurrences of that color on the
283   screen immediately change to the new definition.  This function is a no-op on
284   most terminals; it is active only if :func:`can_change_color` returns ``True``.
285
286
287.. function:: init_pair(pair_number, fg, bg)
288
289   Change the definition of a color-pair.  It takes three arguments: the number of
290   the color-pair to be changed, the foreground color number, and the background
291   color number.  The value of *pair_number* must be between ``1`` and
292   ``COLOR_PAIRS - 1`` (the ``0`` color pair is wired to white on black and cannot
293   be changed).  The value of *fg* and *bg* arguments must be between ``0`` and
294   :const:`COLORS`.  If the color-pair was previously initialized, the screen is
295   refreshed and all occurrences of that color-pair are changed to the new
296   definition.
297
298
299.. function:: initscr()
300
301   Initialize the library. Return a :ref:`window <curses-window-objects>` object
302   which represents the whole screen.
303
304   .. note::
305
306      If there is an error opening the terminal, the underlying curses library may
307      cause the interpreter to exit.
308
309
310.. function:: is_term_resized(nlines, ncols)
311
312   Return ``True`` if :func:`resize_term` would modify the window structure,
313   ``False`` otherwise.
314
315
316.. function:: isendwin()
317
318   Return ``True`` if :func:`endwin` has been called (that is, the  curses library has
319   been deinitialized).
320
321
322.. function:: keyname(k)
323
324   Return the name of the key numbered *k* as a bytes object.  The name of a key generating printable
325   ASCII character is the key's character.  The name of a control-key combination
326   is a two-byte bytes object consisting of a caret (``b'^'``) followed by the corresponding
327   printable ASCII character.  The name of an alt-key combination (128--255) is a
328   bytes object consisting of the prefix ``b'M-'`` followed by the name of the corresponding
329   ASCII character.
330
331
332.. function:: killchar()
333
334   Return the user's current line kill character as a one-byte bytes object. Under Unix operating systems
335   this is a property of the controlling tty of the curses program, and is not set
336   by the curses library itself.
337
338
339.. function:: longname()
340
341   Return a bytes object containing the terminfo long name field describing the current
342   terminal.  The maximum length of a verbose description is 128 characters.  It is
343   defined only after the call to :func:`initscr`.
344
345
346.. function:: meta(flag)
347
348   If *flag* is ``True``, allow 8-bit characters to be input.  If
349   *flag* is ``False``,  allow only 7-bit chars.
350
351
352.. function:: mouseinterval(interval)
353
354   Set the maximum time in milliseconds that can elapse between press and release
355   events in order for them to be recognized as a click, and return the previous
356   interval value.  The default value is 200 msec, or one fifth of a second.
357
358
359.. function:: mousemask(mousemask)
360
361   Set the mouse events to be reported, and return a tuple ``(availmask,
362   oldmask)``.   *availmask* indicates which of the specified mouse events can be
363   reported; on complete failure it returns ``0``.  *oldmask* is the previous value of
364   the given window's mouse event mask.  If this function is never called, no mouse
365   events are ever reported.
366
367
368.. function:: napms(ms)
369
370   Sleep for *ms* milliseconds.
371
372
373.. function:: newpad(nlines, ncols)
374
375   Create and return a pointer to a new pad data structure with the given number
376   of lines and columns.  Return a pad as a window object.
377
378   A pad is like a window, except that it is not restricted by the screen size, and
379   is not necessarily associated with a particular part of the screen.  Pads can be
380   used when a large window is needed, and only a part of the window will be on the
381   screen at one time.  Automatic refreshes of pads (such as from scrolling or
382   echoing of input) do not occur.  The :meth:`~window.refresh` and :meth:`~window.noutrefresh`
383   methods of a pad require 6 arguments to specify the part of the pad to be
384   displayed and the location on the screen to be used for the display. The
385   arguments are *pminrow*, *pmincol*, *sminrow*, *smincol*, *smaxrow*, *smaxcol*; the *p*
386   arguments refer to the upper left corner of the pad region to be displayed and
387   the *s* arguments define a clipping box on the screen within which the pad region
388   is to be displayed.
389
390
391.. function:: newwin(nlines, ncols)
392              newwin(nlines, ncols, begin_y, begin_x)
393
394   Return a new :ref:`window <curses-window-objects>`, whose left-upper corner
395   is at  ``(begin_y, begin_x)``, and whose height/width is  *nlines*/*ncols*.
396
397   By default, the window will extend from the  specified position to the lower
398   right corner of the screen.
399
400
401.. function:: nl()
402
403   Enter newline mode.  This mode translates the return key into newline on input,
404   and translates newline into return and line-feed on output. Newline mode is
405   initially on.
406
407
408.. function:: nocbreak()
409
410   Leave cbreak mode.  Return to normal "cooked" mode with line buffering.
411
412
413.. function:: noecho()
414
415   Leave echo mode.  Echoing of input characters is turned off.
416
417
418.. function:: nonl()
419
420   Leave newline mode.  Disable translation of return into newline on input, and
421   disable low-level translation of newline into newline/return on output (but this
422   does not change the behavior of ``addch('\n')``, which always does the
423   equivalent of return and line feed on the virtual screen).  With translation
424   off, curses can sometimes speed up vertical motion a little; also, it will be
425   able to detect the return key on input.
426
427
428.. function:: noqiflush()
429
430   When the :func:`!noqiflush` routine is used, normal flush of input and output queues
431   associated with the ``INTR``, ``QUIT`` and ``SUSP`` characters will not be done.  You may
432   want to call :func:`!noqiflush` in a signal handler if you want output to
433   continue as though the interrupt had not occurred, after the handler exits.
434
435
436.. function:: noraw()
437
438   Leave raw mode. Return to normal "cooked" mode with line buffering.
439
440
441.. function:: pair_content(pair_number)
442
443   Return a tuple ``(fg, bg)`` containing the colors for the requested color pair.
444   The value of *pair_number* must be between ``1`` and ``COLOR_PAIRS - 1``.
445
446
447.. function:: pair_number(attr)
448
449   Return the number of the color-pair set by the attribute value *attr*.
450   :func:`color_pair` is the counterpart to this function.
451
452
453.. function:: putp(str)
454
455   Equivalent to ``tputs(str, 1, putchar)``; emit the value of a specified
456   terminfo capability for the current terminal.  Note that the output of :func:`putp`
457   always goes to standard output.
458
459
460.. function:: qiflush([flag])
461
462   If *flag* is ``False``, the effect is the same as calling :func:`noqiflush`. If
463   *flag* is ``True``, or no argument is provided, the queues will be flushed when
464   these control characters are read.
465
466
467.. function:: raw()
468
469   Enter raw mode.  In raw mode, normal line buffering and  processing of
470   interrupt, quit, suspend, and flow control keys are turned off; characters are
471   presented to curses input functions one by one.
472
473
474.. function:: reset_prog_mode()
475
476   Restore the  terminal  to "program" mode, as previously saved  by
477   :func:`def_prog_mode`.
478
479
480.. function:: reset_shell_mode()
481
482   Restore the  terminal  to "shell" mode, as previously saved  by
483   :func:`def_shell_mode`.
484
485
486.. function:: resetty()
487
488   Restore the state of the terminal modes to what it was at the last call to
489   :func:`savetty`.
490
491
492.. function:: resize_term(nlines, ncols)
493
494   Backend function used by :func:`resizeterm`, performing most of the work;
495   when resizing the windows, :func:`resize_term` blank-fills the areas that are
496   extended.  The calling application should fill in these areas with
497   appropriate data.  The :func:`!resize_term` function attempts to resize all
498   windows.  However, due to the calling convention of pads, it is not possible
499   to resize these without additional interaction with the application.
500
501
502.. function:: resizeterm(nlines, ncols)
503
504   Resize the standard and current windows to the specified dimensions, and
505   adjusts other bookkeeping data used by the curses library that record the
506   window dimensions (in particular the SIGWINCH handler).
507
508
509.. function:: savetty()
510
511   Save the current state of the terminal modes in a buffer, usable by
512   :func:`resetty`.
513
514
515.. function:: setsyx(y, x)
516
517   Set the virtual screen cursor to *y*, *x*. If *y* and *x* are both ``-1``, then
518   :meth:`leaveok <window.leaveok>` is set ``True``.
519
520
521.. function:: setupterm(term=None, fd=-1)
522
523   Initialize the terminal.  *term* is a string giving
524   the terminal name, or ``None``; if omitted or ``None``, the value of the
525   :envvar:`TERM` environment variable will be used.  *fd* is the
526   file descriptor to which any initialization sequences will be sent; if not
527   supplied or ``-1``, the file descriptor for ``sys.stdout`` will be used.
528
529
530.. function:: start_color()
531
532   Must be called if the programmer wants to use colors, and before any other color
533   manipulation routine is called.  It is good practice to call this routine right
534   after :func:`initscr`.
535
536   :func:`start_color` initializes eight basic colors (black, red,  green, yellow,
537   blue, magenta, cyan, and white), and two global variables in the :mod:`curses`
538   module, :const:`COLORS` and :const:`COLOR_PAIRS`, containing the maximum number
539   of colors and color-pairs the terminal can support.  It also restores the colors
540   on the terminal to the values they had when the terminal was just turned on.
541
542
543.. function:: termattrs()
544
545   Return a logical OR of all video attributes supported by the terminal.  This
546   information is useful when a curses program needs complete control over the
547   appearance of the screen.
548
549
550.. function:: termname()
551
552   Return the value of the environment variable :envvar:`TERM`, as a bytes object,
553   truncated to 14 characters.
554
555
556.. function:: tigetflag(capname)
557
558   Return the value of the Boolean capability corresponding to the terminfo
559   capability name *capname* as an integer.  Return the value ``-1`` if *capname* is not a
560   Boolean capability, or ``0`` if it is canceled or absent from the terminal
561   description.
562
563
564.. function:: tigetnum(capname)
565
566   Return the value of the numeric capability corresponding to the terminfo
567   capability name *capname* as an integer.  Return the value ``-2`` if *capname* is not a
568   numeric capability, or ``-1`` if it is canceled or absent from the terminal
569   description.
570
571
572.. function:: tigetstr(capname)
573
574   Return the value of the string capability corresponding to the terminfo
575   capability name *capname* as a bytes object.  Return ``None`` if *capname*
576   is not a terminfo "string capability", or is canceled or absent from the
577   terminal description.
578
579
580.. function:: tparm(str[, ...])
581
582   Instantiate the bytes object *str* with the supplied parameters, where *str* should
583   be a parameterized string obtained from the terminfo database.  E.g.
584   ``tparm(tigetstr("cup"), 5, 3)`` could result in ``b'\033[6;4H'``, the exact
585   result depending on terminal type.
586
587
588.. function:: typeahead(fd)
589
590   Specify that the file descriptor *fd* be used for typeahead checking.  If *fd*
591   is ``-1``, then no typeahead checking is done.
592
593   The curses library does "line-breakout optimization" by looking for typeahead
594   periodically while updating the screen.  If input is found, and it is coming
595   from a tty, the current update is postponed until refresh or doupdate is called
596   again, allowing faster response to commands typed in advance. This function
597   allows specifying a different file descriptor for typeahead checking.
598
599
600.. function:: unctrl(ch)
601
602   Return a bytes object which is a printable representation of the character *ch*.
603   Control characters are represented as a caret followed by the character, for
604   example as ``b'^C'``. Printing characters are left as they are.
605
606
607.. function:: ungetch(ch)
608
609   Push *ch* so the next :meth:`~window.getch` will return it.
610
611   .. note::
612
613      Only one *ch* can be pushed before :meth:`!getch` is called.
614
615
616.. function:: update_lines_cols()
617
618   Update :envvar:`LINES` and :envvar:`COLS`. Useful for detecting manual screen resize.
619
620   .. versionadded:: 3.5
621
622
623.. function:: unget_wch(ch)
624
625   Push *ch* so the next :meth:`~window.get_wch` will return it.
626
627   .. note::
628
629      Only one *ch* can be pushed before :meth:`!get_wch` is called.
630
631   .. versionadded:: 3.3
632
633
634.. function:: ungetmouse(id, x, y, z, bstate)
635
636   Push a :const:`KEY_MOUSE` event onto the input queue, associating the given
637   state data with it.
638
639
640.. function:: use_env(flag)
641
642   If used, this function should be called before :func:`initscr` or newterm are
643   called.  When *flag* is ``False``, the values of lines and columns specified in the
644   terminfo database will be used, even if environment variables :envvar:`LINES`
645   and :envvar:`COLUMNS` (used by default) are set, or if curses is running in a
646   window (in which case default behavior would be to use the window size if
647   :envvar:`LINES` and :envvar:`COLUMNS` are not set).
648
649
650.. function:: use_default_colors()
651
652   Allow use of default values for colors on terminals supporting this feature. Use
653   this to support transparency in your application.  The default color is assigned
654   to the color number ``-1``. After calling this function,  ``init_pair(x,
655   curses.COLOR_RED, -1)`` initializes, for instance, color pair *x* to a red
656   foreground color on the default background.
657
658
659.. function:: wrapper(func, ...)
660
661   Initialize curses and call another callable object, *func*, which should be the
662   rest of your curses-using application.  If the application raises an exception,
663   this function will restore the terminal to a sane state before re-raising the
664   exception and generating a traceback.  The callable object *func* is then passed
665   the main window 'stdscr' as its first argument, followed by any other arguments
666   passed to :func:`!wrapper`.  Before calling *func*, :func:`!wrapper` turns on
667   cbreak mode, turns off echo, enables the terminal keypad, and initializes colors
668   if the terminal has color support.  On exit (whether normally or by exception)
669   it restores cooked mode, turns on echo, and disables the terminal keypad.
670
671
672.. _curses-window-objects:
673
674Window Objects
675--------------
676
677Window objects, as returned by :func:`initscr` and :func:`newwin` above, have
678the following methods and attributes:
679
680
681.. method:: window.addch(ch[, attr])
682            window.addch(y, x, ch[, attr])
683
684   Paint character *ch* at ``(y, x)`` with attributes *attr*, overwriting any
685   character previously painter at that location.  By default, the character
686   position and attributes are the current settings for the window object.
687
688   .. note::
689
690      Writing outside the window, subwindow, or pad raises a :exc:`curses.error`.
691      Attempting to write to the lower right corner of a window, subwindow,
692      or pad will cause an exception to be raised after the character is printed.
693
694
695.. method:: window.addnstr(str, n[, attr])
696            window.addnstr(y, x, str, n[, attr])
697
698   Paint at most *n* characters of the character string *str* at
699   ``(y, x)`` with attributes
700   *attr*, overwriting anything previously on the display.
701
702
703.. method:: window.addstr(str[, attr])
704            window.addstr(y, x, str[, attr])
705
706   Paint the character string *str* at ``(y, x)`` with attributes
707   *attr*, overwriting anything previously on the display.
708
709   .. note::
710
711      * Writing outside the window, subwindow, or pad raises :exc:`curses.error`.
712        Attempting to write to the lower right corner of a window, subwindow,
713        or pad will cause an exception to be raised after the string is printed.
714
715      * A `bug in ncurses <https://bugs.python.org/issue35924>`_, the backend
716        for this Python module, can cause SegFaults when resizing windows. This
717        is fixed in ncurses-6.1-20190511.  If you are stuck with an earlier
718        ncurses, you can avoid triggering this if you do not call :func:`addstr`
719        with a *str* that has embedded newlines.  Instead, call :func:`addstr`
720        separately for each line.
721
722
723.. method:: window.attroff(attr)
724
725   Remove attribute *attr* from the "background" set applied to all writes to the
726   current window.
727
728
729.. method:: window.attron(attr)
730
731   Add attribute *attr* from the "background" set applied to all writes to the
732   current window.
733
734
735.. method:: window.attrset(attr)
736
737   Set the "background" set of attributes to *attr*.  This set is initially
738   ``0`` (no attributes).
739
740
741.. method:: window.bkgd(ch[, attr])
742
743   Set the background property of the window to the character *ch*, with
744   attributes *attr*.  The change is then applied to every character position in
745   that window:
746
747   * The attribute of every character in the window  is changed to the new
748     background attribute.
749
750   * Wherever  the  former background character appears, it is changed to the new
751     background character.
752
753
754.. method:: window.bkgdset(ch[, attr])
755
756   Set the window's background.  A window's background consists of a character and
757   any combination of attributes.  The attribute part of the background is combined
758   (OR'ed) with all non-blank characters that are written into the window.  Both
759   the character and attribute parts of the background are combined with the blank
760   characters.  The background becomes a property of the character and moves with
761   the character through any scrolling and insert/delete line/character operations.
762
763
764.. method:: window.border([ls[, rs[, ts[, bs[, tl[, tr[, bl[, br]]]]]]]])
765
766   Draw a border around the edges of the window. Each parameter specifies  the
767   character to use for a specific part of the border; see the table below for more
768   details.
769
770   .. note::
771
772      A ``0`` value for any parameter will cause the default character to be used for
773      that parameter.  Keyword parameters can *not* be used.  The defaults are listed
774      in this table:
775
776   +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
777   | Parameter | Description         | Default value         |
778   +===========+=====================+=======================+
779   | *ls*      | Left side           | :const:`ACS_VLINE`    |
780   +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
781   | *rs*      | Right side          | :const:`ACS_VLINE`    |
782   +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
783   | *ts*      | Top                 | :const:`ACS_HLINE`    |
784   +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
785   | *bs*      | Bottom              | :const:`ACS_HLINE`    |
786   +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
787   | *tl*      | Upper-left corner   | :const:`ACS_ULCORNER` |
788   +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
789   | *tr*      | Upper-right corner  | :const:`ACS_URCORNER` |
790   +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
791   | *bl*      | Bottom-left corner  | :const:`ACS_LLCORNER` |
792   +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
793   | *br*      | Bottom-right corner | :const:`ACS_LRCORNER` |
794   +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
795
796
797.. method:: window.box([vertch, horch])
798
799   Similar to :meth:`border`, but both *ls* and *rs* are *vertch* and both *ts* and
800   *bs* are *horch*.  The default corner characters are always used by this function.
801
802
803.. method:: window.chgat(attr)
804            window.chgat(num, attr)
805            window.chgat(y, x, attr)
806            window.chgat(y, x, num, attr)
807
808   Set the attributes of *num* characters at the current cursor position, or at
809   position ``(y, x)`` if supplied. If *num* is not given or is ``-1``,
810   the attribute will be set on all the characters to the end of the line.  This
811   function moves cursor to position ``(y, x)`` if supplied. The changed line
812   will be touched using the :meth:`touchline` method so that the contents will
813   be redisplayed by the next window refresh.
814
815
816.. method:: window.clear()
817
818   Like :meth:`erase`, but also cause the whole window to be repainted upon next
819   call to :meth:`refresh`.
820
821
822.. method:: window.clearok(flag)
823
824   If *flag* is ``True``, the next call to :meth:`refresh` will clear the window
825   completely.
826
827
828.. method:: window.clrtobot()
829
830   Erase from cursor to the end of the window: all lines below the cursor are
831   deleted, and then the equivalent of :meth:`clrtoeol` is performed.
832
833
834.. method:: window.clrtoeol()
835
836   Erase from cursor to the end of the line.
837
838
839.. method:: window.cursyncup()
840
841   Update the current cursor position of all the ancestors of the window to
842   reflect the current cursor position of the window.
843
844
845.. method:: window.delch([y, x])
846
847   Delete any character at ``(y, x)``.
848
849
850.. method:: window.deleteln()
851
852   Delete the line under the cursor. All following lines are moved up by one line.
853
854
855.. method:: window.derwin(begin_y, begin_x)
856            window.derwin(nlines, ncols, begin_y, begin_x)
857
858   An abbreviation for "derive window", :meth:`derwin` is the same as calling
859   :meth:`subwin`, except that *begin_y* and *begin_x* are relative to the origin
860   of the window, rather than relative to the entire screen.  Return a window
861   object for the derived window.
862
863
864.. method:: window.echochar(ch[, attr])
865
866   Add character *ch* with attribute *attr*, and immediately  call :meth:`refresh`
867   on the window.
868
869
870.. method:: window.enclose(y, x)
871
872   Test whether the given pair of screen-relative character-cell coordinates are
873   enclosed by the given window, returning ``True`` or ``False``.  It is useful for
874   determining what subset of the screen windows enclose the location of a mouse
875   event.
876
877
878.. attribute:: window.encoding
879
880   Encoding used to encode method arguments (Unicode strings and characters).
881   The encoding attribute is inherited from the parent window when a subwindow
882   is created, for example with :meth:`window.subwin`. By default, the locale
883   encoding is used (see :func:`locale.getpreferredencoding`).
884
885   .. versionadded:: 3.3
886
887
888.. method:: window.erase()
889
890   Clear the window.
891
892
893.. method:: window.getbegyx()
894
895   Return a tuple ``(y, x)`` of co-ordinates of upper-left corner.
896
897
898.. method:: window.getbkgd()
899
900   Return the given window's current background character/attribute pair.
901
902
903.. method:: window.getch([y, x])
904
905   Get a character. Note that the integer returned does *not* have to be in ASCII
906   range: function keys, keypad keys and so on are represented by numbers higher
907   than 255.  In no-delay mode, return ``-1`` if there is no input, otherwise
908   wait until a key is pressed.
909
910
911.. method:: window.get_wch([y, x])
912
913   Get a wide character. Return a character for most keys, or an integer for
914   function keys, keypad keys, and other special keys.
915   In no-delay mode, raise an exception if there is no input.
916
917   .. versionadded:: 3.3
918
919
920.. method:: window.getkey([y, x])
921
922   Get a character, returning a string instead of an integer, as :meth:`getch`
923   does. Function keys, keypad keys and other special keys return a multibyte
924   string containing the key name.  In no-delay mode, raise an exception if
925   there is no input.
926
927
928.. method:: window.getmaxyx()
929
930   Return a tuple ``(y, x)`` of the height and width of the window.
931
932
933.. method:: window.getparyx()
934
935   Return the beginning coordinates of this window relative to its parent window
936   as a tuple ``(y, x)``.  Return ``(-1, -1)`` if this window has no
937   parent.
938
939
940.. method:: window.getstr()
941            window.getstr(n)
942            window.getstr(y, x)
943            window.getstr(y, x, n)
944
945   Read a bytes object from the user, with primitive line editing capacity.
946
947
948.. method:: window.getyx()
949
950   Return a tuple ``(y, x)`` of current cursor position  relative to the window's
951   upper-left corner.
952
953
954.. method:: window.hline(ch, n)
955            window.hline(y, x, ch, n)
956
957   Display a horizontal line starting at ``(y, x)`` with length *n* consisting of
958   the character *ch*.
959
960
961.. method:: window.idcok(flag)
962
963   If *flag* is ``False``, curses no longer considers using the hardware insert/delete
964   character feature of the terminal; if *flag* is ``True``, use of character insertion
965   and deletion is enabled.  When curses is first initialized, use of character
966   insert/delete is enabled by default.
967
968
969.. method:: window.idlok(flag)
970
971   If *flag* is ``True``, :mod:`curses` will try and use hardware line
972   editing facilities. Otherwise, line insertion/deletion are disabled.
973
974
975.. method:: window.immedok(flag)
976
977   If *flag* is ``True``, any change in the window image automatically causes the
978   window to be refreshed; you no longer have to call :meth:`refresh` yourself.
979   However, it may degrade performance considerably, due to repeated calls to
980   wrefresh.  This option is disabled by default.
981
982
983.. method:: window.inch([y, x])
984
985   Return the character at the given position in the window. The bottom 8 bits are
986   the character proper, and upper bits are the attributes.
987
988
989.. method:: window.insch(ch[, attr])
990            window.insch(y, x, ch[, attr])
991
992   Paint character *ch* at ``(y, x)`` with attributes *attr*, moving the line from
993   position *x* right by one character.
994
995
996.. method:: window.insdelln(nlines)
997
998   Insert *nlines* lines into the specified window above the current line.  The
999   *nlines* bottom lines are lost.  For negative *nlines*, delete *nlines* lines
1000   starting with the one under the cursor, and move the remaining lines up.  The
1001   bottom *nlines* lines are cleared.  The current cursor position remains the
1002   same.
1003
1004
1005.. method:: window.insertln()
1006
1007   Insert a blank line under the cursor. All following lines are moved down by one
1008   line.
1009
1010
1011.. method:: window.insnstr(str, n[, attr])
1012            window.insnstr(y, x, str, n[, attr])
1013
1014   Insert a character string (as many characters as will fit on the line) before
1015   the character under the cursor, up to *n* characters.   If *n* is zero or
1016   negative, the entire string is inserted. All characters to the right of the
1017   cursor are shifted right, with the rightmost characters on the line being lost.
1018   The cursor position does not change (after moving to *y*, *x*, if specified).
1019
1020
1021.. method:: window.insstr(str[, attr])
1022            window.insstr(y, x, str[, attr])
1023
1024   Insert a character string (as many characters as will fit on the line) before
1025   the character under the cursor.  All characters to the right of the cursor are
1026   shifted right, with the rightmost characters on the line being lost.  The cursor
1027   position does not change (after moving to *y*, *x*, if specified).
1028
1029
1030.. method:: window.instr([n])
1031            window.instr(y, x[, n])
1032
1033   Return a bytes object of characters, extracted from the window starting at the
1034   current cursor position, or at *y*, *x* if specified. Attributes are stripped
1035   from the characters.  If *n* is specified, :meth:`instr` returns a string
1036   at most *n* characters long (exclusive of the trailing NUL).
1037
1038
1039.. method:: window.is_linetouched(line)
1040
1041   Return ``True`` if the specified line was modified since the last call to
1042   :meth:`refresh`; otherwise return ``False``.  Raise a :exc:`curses.error`
1043   exception if *line* is not valid for the given window.
1044
1045
1046.. method:: window.is_wintouched()
1047
1048   Return ``True`` if the specified window was modified since the last call to
1049   :meth:`refresh`; otherwise return ``False``.
1050
1051
1052.. method:: window.keypad(flag)
1053
1054   If *flag* is ``True``, escape sequences generated by some keys (keypad,  function keys)
1055   will be interpreted by :mod:`curses`. If *flag* is ``False``, escape sequences will be
1056   left as is in the input stream.
1057
1058
1059.. method:: window.leaveok(flag)
1060
1061   If *flag* is ``True``, cursor is left where it is on update, instead of being at "cursor
1062   position."  This reduces cursor movement where possible. If possible the cursor
1063   will be made invisible.
1064
1065   If *flag* is ``False``, cursor will always be at "cursor position" after an update.
1066
1067
1068.. method:: window.move(new_y, new_x)
1069
1070   Move cursor to ``(new_y, new_x)``.
1071
1072
1073.. method:: window.mvderwin(y, x)
1074
1075   Move the window inside its parent window.  The screen-relative parameters of
1076   the window are not changed.  This routine is used to display different parts of
1077   the parent window at the same physical position on the screen.
1078
1079
1080.. method:: window.mvwin(new_y, new_x)
1081
1082   Move the window so its upper-left corner is at ``(new_y, new_x)``.
1083
1084
1085.. method:: window.nodelay(flag)
1086
1087   If *flag* is ``True``, :meth:`getch` will be non-blocking.
1088
1089
1090.. method:: window.notimeout(flag)
1091
1092   If *flag* is ``True``, escape sequences will not be timed out.
1093
1094   If *flag* is ``False``, after a few milliseconds, an escape sequence will not be
1095   interpreted, and will be left in the input stream as is.
1096
1097
1098.. method:: window.noutrefresh()
1099
1100   Mark for refresh but wait.  This function updates the data structure
1101   representing the desired state of the window, but does not force an update of
1102   the physical screen.  To accomplish that, call  :func:`doupdate`.
1103
1104
1105.. method:: window.overlay(destwin[, sminrow, smincol, dminrow, dmincol, dmaxrow, dmaxcol])
1106
1107   Overlay the window on top of *destwin*. The windows need not be the same size,
1108   only the overlapping region is copied. This copy is non-destructive, which means
1109   that the current background character does not overwrite the old contents of
1110   *destwin*.
1111
1112   To get fine-grained control over the copied region, the second form of
1113   :meth:`overlay` can be used. *sminrow* and *smincol* are the upper-left
1114   coordinates of the source window, and the other variables mark a rectangle in
1115   the destination window.
1116
1117
1118.. method:: window.overwrite(destwin[, sminrow, smincol, dminrow, dmincol, dmaxrow, dmaxcol])
1119
1120   Overwrite the window on top of *destwin*. The windows need not be the same size,
1121   in which case only the overlapping region is copied. This copy is destructive,
1122   which means that the current background character overwrites the old contents of
1123   *destwin*.
1124
1125   To get fine-grained control over the copied region, the second form of
1126   :meth:`overwrite` can be used. *sminrow* and *smincol* are the upper-left
1127   coordinates of the source window, the other variables mark a rectangle in the
1128   destination window.
1129
1130
1131.. method:: window.putwin(file)
1132
1133   Write all data associated with the window into the provided file object.  This
1134   information can be later retrieved using the :func:`getwin` function.
1135
1136
1137.. method:: window.redrawln(beg, num)
1138
1139   Indicate that the *num* screen lines, starting at line *beg*, are corrupted and
1140   should be completely redrawn on the next :meth:`refresh` call.
1141
1142
1143.. method:: window.redrawwin()
1144
1145   Touch the entire window, causing it to be completely redrawn on the next
1146   :meth:`refresh` call.
1147
1148
1149.. method:: window.refresh([pminrow, pmincol, sminrow, smincol, smaxrow, smaxcol])
1150
1151   Update the display immediately (sync actual screen with previous
1152   drawing/deleting methods).
1153
1154   The 6 optional arguments can only be specified when the window is a pad created
1155   with :func:`newpad`.  The additional parameters are needed to indicate what part
1156   of the pad and screen are involved. *pminrow* and *pmincol* specify the upper
1157   left-hand corner of the rectangle to be displayed in the pad.  *sminrow*,
1158   *smincol*, *smaxrow*, and *smaxcol* specify the edges of the rectangle to be
1159   displayed on the screen.  The lower right-hand corner of the rectangle to be
1160   displayed in the pad is calculated from the screen coordinates, since the
1161   rectangles must be the same size.  Both rectangles must be entirely contained
1162   within their respective structures.  Negative values of *pminrow*, *pmincol*,
1163   *sminrow*, or *smincol* are treated as if they were zero.
1164
1165
1166.. method:: window.resize(nlines, ncols)
1167
1168   Reallocate storage for a curses window to adjust its dimensions to the
1169   specified values.  If either dimension is larger than the current values, the
1170   window's data is filled with blanks that have the current background
1171   rendition (as set by :meth:`bkgdset`) merged into them.
1172
1173
1174.. method:: window.scroll([lines=1])
1175
1176   Scroll the screen or scrolling region upward by *lines* lines.
1177
1178
1179.. method:: window.scrollok(flag)
1180
1181   Control what happens when the cursor of a window is moved off the edge of the
1182   window or scrolling region, either as a result of a newline action on the bottom
1183   line, or typing the last character of the last line.  If *flag* is ``False``, the
1184   cursor is left on the bottom line.  If *flag* is ``True``, the window is scrolled up
1185   one line.  Note that in order to get the physical scrolling effect on the
1186   terminal, it is also necessary to call :meth:`idlok`.
1187
1188
1189.. method:: window.setscrreg(top, bottom)
1190
1191   Set the scrolling region from line *top* to line *bottom*. All scrolling actions
1192   will take place in this region.
1193
1194
1195.. method:: window.standend()
1196
1197   Turn off the standout attribute.  On some terminals this has the side effect of
1198   turning off all attributes.
1199
1200
1201.. method:: window.standout()
1202
1203   Turn on attribute *A_STANDOUT*.
1204
1205
1206.. method:: window.subpad(begin_y, begin_x)
1207            window.subpad(nlines, ncols, begin_y, begin_x)
1208
1209   Return a sub-window, whose upper-left corner is at ``(begin_y, begin_x)``, and
1210   whose width/height is *ncols*/*nlines*.
1211
1212
1213.. method:: window.subwin(begin_y, begin_x)
1214            window.subwin(nlines, ncols, begin_y, begin_x)
1215
1216   Return a sub-window, whose upper-left corner is at ``(begin_y, begin_x)``, and
1217   whose width/height is *ncols*/*nlines*.
1218
1219   By default, the sub-window will extend from the specified position to the lower
1220   right corner of the window.
1221
1222
1223.. method:: window.syncdown()
1224
1225   Touch each location in the window that has been touched in any of its ancestor
1226   windows.  This routine is called by :meth:`refresh`, so it should almost never
1227   be necessary to call it manually.
1228
1229
1230.. method:: window.syncok(flag)
1231
1232   If *flag* is ``True``, then :meth:`syncup` is called automatically
1233   whenever there is a change in the window.
1234
1235
1236.. method:: window.syncup()
1237
1238   Touch all locations in ancestors of the window that have been changed in  the
1239   window.
1240
1241
1242.. method:: window.timeout(delay)
1243
1244   Set blocking or non-blocking read behavior for the window.  If *delay* is
1245   negative, blocking read is used (which will wait indefinitely for input).  If
1246   *delay* is zero, then non-blocking read is used, and :meth:`getch` will
1247   return ``-1`` if no input is waiting.  If *delay* is positive, then
1248   :meth:`getch` will block for *delay* milliseconds, and return ``-1`` if there is
1249   still no input at the end of that time.
1250
1251
1252.. method:: window.touchline(start, count[, changed])
1253
1254   Pretend *count* lines have been changed, starting with line *start*.  If
1255   *changed* is supplied, it specifies whether the affected lines are marked as
1256   having been changed (*changed*\ ``=True``) or unchanged (*changed*\ ``=False``).
1257
1258
1259.. method:: window.touchwin()
1260
1261   Pretend the whole window has been changed, for purposes of drawing
1262   optimizations.
1263
1264
1265.. method:: window.untouchwin()
1266
1267   Mark all lines in  the  window  as unchanged since the last call to
1268   :meth:`refresh`.
1269
1270
1271.. method:: window.vline(ch, n)
1272            window.vline(y, x, ch, n)
1273
1274   Display a vertical line starting at ``(y, x)`` with length *n* consisting of the
1275   character *ch*.
1276
1277
1278Constants
1279---------
1280
1281The :mod:`curses` module defines the following data members:
1282
1283
1284.. data:: ERR
1285
1286   Some curses routines  that  return  an integer, such as :meth:`~window.getch`, return
1287   :const:`ERR` upon failure.
1288
1289
1290.. data:: OK
1291
1292   Some curses routines  that  return  an integer, such as  :func:`napms`, return
1293   :const:`OK` upon success.
1294
1295
1296.. data:: version
1297
1298   A bytes object representing the current version of the module.  Also available as
1299   :const:`__version__`.
1300
1301
1302.. data:: ncurses_version
1303
1304   A named tuple containing the three components of the ncurses library
1305   version: *major*, *minor*, and *patch*.  All values are integers.  The
1306   components can also be accessed by name,  so ``curses.ncurses_version[0]``
1307   is equivalent to ``curses.ncurses_version.major`` and so on.
1308
1309   Availability: if the ncurses library is used.
1310
1311   .. versionadded:: 3.8
1312
1313
1314Some constants are available to specify character cell attributes.
1315The exact constants available are system dependent.
1316
1317+------------------+-------------------------------+
1318| Attribute        | Meaning                       |
1319+==================+===============================+
1320| ``A_ALTCHARSET`` | Alternate character set mode  |
1321+------------------+-------------------------------+
1322| ``A_BLINK``      | Blink mode                    |
1323+------------------+-------------------------------+
1324| ``A_BOLD``       | Bold mode                     |
1325+------------------+-------------------------------+
1326| ``A_DIM``        | Dim mode                      |
1327+------------------+-------------------------------+
1328| ``A_INVIS``      | Invisible or blank mode       |
1329+------------------+-------------------------------+
1330| ``A_ITALIC``     | Italic mode                   |
1331+------------------+-------------------------------+
1332| ``A_NORMAL``     | Normal attribute              |
1333+------------------+-------------------------------+
1334| ``A_PROTECT``    | Protected mode                |
1335+------------------+-------------------------------+
1336| ``A_REVERSE``    | Reverse background and        |
1337|                  | foreground colors             |
1338+------------------+-------------------------------+
1339| ``A_STANDOUT``   | Standout mode                 |
1340+------------------+-------------------------------+
1341| ``A_UNDERLINE``  | Underline mode                |
1342+------------------+-------------------------------+
1343| ``A_HORIZONTAL`` | Horizontal highlight          |
1344+------------------+-------------------------------+
1345| ``A_LEFT``       | Left highlight                |
1346+------------------+-------------------------------+
1347| ``A_LOW``        | Low highlight                 |
1348+------------------+-------------------------------+
1349| ``A_RIGHT``      | Right highlight               |
1350+------------------+-------------------------------+
1351| ``A_TOP``        | Top highlight                 |
1352+------------------+-------------------------------+
1353| ``A_VERTICAL``   | Vertical highlight            |
1354+------------------+-------------------------------+
1355| ``A_CHARTEXT``   | Bit-mask to extract a         |
1356|                  | character                     |
1357+------------------+-------------------------------+
1358
1359.. versionadded:: 3.7
1360   ``A_ITALIC`` was added.
1361
1362Several constants are available to extract corresponding attributes returned
1363by some methods.
1364
1365+------------------+-------------------------------+
1366| Bit-mask         | Meaning                       |
1367+==================+===============================+
1368| ``A_ATTRIBUTES`` | Bit-mask to extract           |
1369|                  | attributes                    |
1370+------------------+-------------------------------+
1371| ``A_CHARTEXT``   | Bit-mask to extract a         |
1372|                  | character                     |
1373+------------------+-------------------------------+
1374| ``A_COLOR``      | Bit-mask to extract           |
1375|                  | color-pair field information  |
1376+------------------+-------------------------------+
1377
1378Keys are referred to by integer constants with names starting with  ``KEY_``.
1379The exact keycaps available are system dependent.
1380
1381.. XXX this table is far too large! should it be alphabetized?
1382
1383+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1384| Key constant      | Key                                        |
1385+===================+============================================+
1386| ``KEY_MIN``       | Minimum key value                          |
1387+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1388| ``KEY_BREAK``     | Break key (unreliable)                     |
1389+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1390| ``KEY_DOWN``      | Down-arrow                                 |
1391+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1392| ``KEY_UP``        | Up-arrow                                   |
1393+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1394| ``KEY_LEFT``      | Left-arrow                                 |
1395+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1396| ``KEY_RIGHT``     | Right-arrow                                |
1397+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1398| ``KEY_HOME``      | Home key (upward+left arrow)               |
1399+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1400| ``KEY_BACKSPACE`` | Backspace (unreliable)                     |
1401+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1402| ``KEY_F0``        | Function keys.  Up to 64 function keys are |
1403|                   | supported.                                 |
1404+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1405| ``KEY_Fn``        | Value of function key *n*                  |
1406+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1407| ``KEY_DL``        | Delete line                                |
1408+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1409| ``KEY_IL``        | Insert line                                |
1410+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1411| ``KEY_DC``        | Delete character                           |
1412+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1413| ``KEY_IC``        | Insert char or enter insert mode           |
1414+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1415| ``KEY_EIC``       | Exit insert char mode                      |
1416+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1417| ``KEY_CLEAR``     | Clear screen                               |
1418+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1419| ``KEY_EOS``       | Clear to end of screen                     |
1420+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1421| ``KEY_EOL``       | Clear to end of line                       |
1422+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1423| ``KEY_SF``        | Scroll 1 line forward                      |
1424+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1425| ``KEY_SR``        | Scroll 1 line backward (reverse)           |
1426+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1427| ``KEY_NPAGE``     | Next page                                  |
1428+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1429| ``KEY_PPAGE``     | Previous page                              |
1430+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1431| ``KEY_STAB``      | Set tab                                    |
1432+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1433| ``KEY_CTAB``      | Clear tab                                  |
1434+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1435| ``KEY_CATAB``     | Clear all tabs                             |
1436+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1437| ``KEY_ENTER``     | Enter or send (unreliable)                 |
1438+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1439| ``KEY_SRESET``    | Soft (partial) reset (unreliable)          |
1440+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1441| ``KEY_RESET``     | Reset or hard reset (unreliable)           |
1442+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1443| ``KEY_PRINT``     | Print                                      |
1444+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1445| ``KEY_LL``        | Home down or bottom (lower left)           |
1446+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1447| ``KEY_A1``        | Upper left of keypad                       |
1448+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1449| ``KEY_A3``        | Upper right of keypad                      |
1450+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1451| ``KEY_B2``        | Center of keypad                           |
1452+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1453| ``KEY_C1``        | Lower left of keypad                       |
1454+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1455| ``KEY_C3``        | Lower right of keypad                      |
1456+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1457| ``KEY_BTAB``      | Back tab                                   |
1458+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1459| ``KEY_BEG``       | Beg (beginning)                            |
1460+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1461| ``KEY_CANCEL``    | Cancel                                     |
1462+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1463| ``KEY_CLOSE``     | Close                                      |
1464+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1465| ``KEY_COMMAND``   | Cmd (command)                              |
1466+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1467| ``KEY_COPY``      | Copy                                       |
1468+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1469| ``KEY_CREATE``    | Create                                     |
1470+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1471| ``KEY_END``       | End                                        |
1472+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1473| ``KEY_EXIT``      | Exit                                       |
1474+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1475| ``KEY_FIND``      | Find                                       |
1476+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1477| ``KEY_HELP``      | Help                                       |
1478+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1479| ``KEY_MARK``      | Mark                                       |
1480+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1481| ``KEY_MESSAGE``   | Message                                    |
1482+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1483| ``KEY_MOVE``      | Move                                       |
1484+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1485| ``KEY_NEXT``      | Next                                       |
1486+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1487| ``KEY_OPEN``      | Open                                       |
1488+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1489| ``KEY_OPTIONS``   | Options                                    |
1490+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1491| ``KEY_PREVIOUS``  | Prev (previous)                            |
1492+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1493| ``KEY_REDO``      | Redo                                       |
1494+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1495| ``KEY_REFERENCE`` | Ref (reference)                            |
1496+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1497| ``KEY_REFRESH``   | Refresh                                    |
1498+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1499| ``KEY_REPLACE``   | Replace                                    |
1500+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1501| ``KEY_RESTART``   | Restart                                    |
1502+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1503| ``KEY_RESUME``    | Resume                                     |
1504+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1505| ``KEY_SAVE``      | Save                                       |
1506+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1507| ``KEY_SBEG``      | Shifted Beg (beginning)                    |
1508+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1509| ``KEY_SCANCEL``   | Shifted Cancel                             |
1510+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1511| ``KEY_SCOMMAND``  | Shifted Command                            |
1512+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1513| ``KEY_SCOPY``     | Shifted Copy                               |
1514+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1515| ``KEY_SCREATE``   | Shifted Create                             |
1516+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1517| ``KEY_SDC``       | Shifted Delete char                        |
1518+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1519| ``KEY_SDL``       | Shifted Delete line                        |
1520+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1521| ``KEY_SELECT``    | Select                                     |
1522+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1523| ``KEY_SEND``      | Shifted End                                |
1524+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1525| ``KEY_SEOL``      | Shifted Clear line                         |
1526+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1527| ``KEY_SEXIT``     | Shifted Exit                               |
1528+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1529| ``KEY_SFIND``     | Shifted Find                               |
1530+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1531| ``KEY_SHELP``     | Shifted Help                               |
1532+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1533| ``KEY_SHOME``     | Shifted Home                               |
1534+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1535| ``KEY_SIC``       | Shifted Input                              |
1536+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1537| ``KEY_SLEFT``     | Shifted Left arrow                         |
1538+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1539| ``KEY_SMESSAGE``  | Shifted Message                            |
1540+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1541| ``KEY_SMOVE``     | Shifted Move                               |
1542+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1543| ``KEY_SNEXT``     | Shifted Next                               |
1544+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1545| ``KEY_SOPTIONS``  | Shifted Options                            |
1546+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1547| ``KEY_SPREVIOUS`` | Shifted Prev                               |
1548+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1549| ``KEY_SPRINT``    | Shifted Print                              |
1550+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1551| ``KEY_SREDO``     | Shifted Redo                               |
1552+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1553| ``KEY_SREPLACE``  | Shifted Replace                            |
1554+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1555| ``KEY_SRIGHT``    | Shifted Right arrow                        |
1556+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1557| ``KEY_SRSUME``    | Shifted Resume                             |
1558+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1559| ``KEY_SSAVE``     | Shifted Save                               |
1560+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1561| ``KEY_SSUSPEND``  | Shifted Suspend                            |
1562+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1563| ``KEY_SUNDO``     | Shifted Undo                               |
1564+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1565| ``KEY_SUSPEND``   | Suspend                                    |
1566+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1567| ``KEY_UNDO``      | Undo                                       |
1568+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1569| ``KEY_MOUSE``     | Mouse event has occurred                   |
1570+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1571| ``KEY_RESIZE``    | Terminal resize event                      |
1572+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1573| ``KEY_MAX``       | Maximum key value                          |
1574+-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
1575
1576On VT100s and their software emulations, such as X terminal emulators, there are
1577normally at least four function keys (:const:`KEY_F1`, :const:`KEY_F2`,
1578:const:`KEY_F3`, :const:`KEY_F4`) available, and the arrow keys mapped to
1579:const:`KEY_UP`, :const:`KEY_DOWN`, :const:`KEY_LEFT` and :const:`KEY_RIGHT` in
1580the obvious way.  If your machine has a PC keyboard, it is safe to expect arrow
1581keys and twelve function keys (older PC keyboards may have only ten function
1582keys); also, the following keypad mappings are standard:
1583
1584+------------------+-----------+
1585| Keycap           | Constant  |
1586+==================+===========+
1587| :kbd:`Insert`    | KEY_IC    |
1588+------------------+-----------+
1589| :kbd:`Delete`    | KEY_DC    |
1590+------------------+-----------+
1591| :kbd:`Home`      | KEY_HOME  |
1592+------------------+-----------+
1593| :kbd:`End`       | KEY_END   |
1594+------------------+-----------+
1595| :kbd:`Page Up`   | KEY_PPAGE |
1596+------------------+-----------+
1597| :kbd:`Page Down` | KEY_NPAGE |
1598+------------------+-----------+
1599
1600The following table lists characters from the alternate character set. These are
1601inherited from the VT100 terminal, and will generally be  available on software
1602emulations such as X terminals.  When there is no graphic available, curses
1603falls back on a crude printable ASCII approximation.
1604
1605.. note::
1606
1607   These are available only after :func:`initscr` has  been called.
1608
1609+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1610| ACS code         | Meaning                                  |
1611+==================+==========================================+
1612| ``ACS_BBSS``     | alternate name for upper right corner    |
1613+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1614| ``ACS_BLOCK``    | solid square block                       |
1615+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1616| ``ACS_BOARD``    | board of squares                         |
1617+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1618| ``ACS_BSBS``     | alternate name for horizontal line       |
1619+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1620| ``ACS_BSSB``     | alternate name for upper left corner     |
1621+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1622| ``ACS_BSSS``     | alternate name for top tee               |
1623+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1624| ``ACS_BTEE``     | bottom tee                               |
1625+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1626| ``ACS_BULLET``   | bullet                                   |
1627+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1628| ``ACS_CKBOARD``  | checker board (stipple)                  |
1629+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1630| ``ACS_DARROW``   | arrow pointing down                      |
1631+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1632| ``ACS_DEGREE``   | degree symbol                            |
1633+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1634| ``ACS_DIAMOND``  | diamond                                  |
1635+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1636| ``ACS_GEQUAL``   | greater-than-or-equal-to                 |
1637+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1638| ``ACS_HLINE``    | horizontal line                          |
1639+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1640| ``ACS_LANTERN``  | lantern symbol                           |
1641+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1642| ``ACS_LARROW``   | left arrow                               |
1643+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1644| ``ACS_LEQUAL``   | less-than-or-equal-to                    |
1645+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1646| ``ACS_LLCORNER`` | lower left-hand corner                   |
1647+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1648| ``ACS_LRCORNER`` | lower right-hand corner                  |
1649+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1650| ``ACS_LTEE``     | left tee                                 |
1651+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1652| ``ACS_NEQUAL``   | not-equal sign                           |
1653+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1654| ``ACS_PI``       | letter pi                                |
1655+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1656| ``ACS_PLMINUS``  | plus-or-minus sign                       |
1657+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1658| ``ACS_PLUS``     | big plus sign                            |
1659+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1660| ``ACS_RARROW``   | right arrow                              |
1661+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1662| ``ACS_RTEE``     | right tee                                |
1663+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1664| ``ACS_S1``       | scan line 1                              |
1665+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1666| ``ACS_S3``       | scan line 3                              |
1667+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1668| ``ACS_S7``       | scan line 7                              |
1669+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1670| ``ACS_S9``       | scan line 9                              |
1671+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1672| ``ACS_SBBS``     | alternate name for lower right corner    |
1673+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1674| ``ACS_SBSB``     | alternate name for vertical line         |
1675+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1676| ``ACS_SBSS``     | alternate name for right tee             |
1677+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1678| ``ACS_SSBB``     | alternate name for lower left corner     |
1679+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1680| ``ACS_SSBS``     | alternate name for bottom tee            |
1681+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1682| ``ACS_SSSB``     | alternate name for left tee              |
1683+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1684| ``ACS_SSSS``     | alternate name for crossover or big plus |
1685+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1686| ``ACS_STERLING`` | pound sterling                           |
1687+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1688| ``ACS_TTEE``     | top tee                                  |
1689+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1690| ``ACS_UARROW``   | up arrow                                 |
1691+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1692| ``ACS_ULCORNER`` | upper left corner                        |
1693+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1694| ``ACS_URCORNER`` | upper right corner                       |
1695+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1696| ``ACS_VLINE``    | vertical line                            |
1697+------------------+------------------------------------------+
1698
1699The following table lists the predefined colors:
1700
1701+-------------------+----------------------------+
1702| Constant          | Color                      |
1703+===================+============================+
1704| ``COLOR_BLACK``   | Black                      |
1705+-------------------+----------------------------+
1706| ``COLOR_BLUE``    | Blue                       |
1707+-------------------+----------------------------+
1708| ``COLOR_CYAN``    | Cyan (light greenish blue) |
1709+-------------------+----------------------------+
1710| ``COLOR_GREEN``   | Green                      |
1711+-------------------+----------------------------+
1712| ``COLOR_MAGENTA`` | Magenta (purplish red)     |
1713+-------------------+----------------------------+
1714| ``COLOR_RED``     | Red                        |
1715+-------------------+----------------------------+
1716| ``COLOR_WHITE``   | White                      |
1717+-------------------+----------------------------+
1718| ``COLOR_YELLOW``  | Yellow                     |
1719+-------------------+----------------------------+
1720
1721
1722:mod:`curses.textpad` --- Text input widget for curses programs
1723===============================================================
1724
1725.. module:: curses.textpad
1726   :synopsis: Emacs-like input editing in a curses window.
1727.. moduleauthor:: Eric Raymond <esr@thyrsus.com>
1728.. sectionauthor:: Eric Raymond <esr@thyrsus.com>
1729
1730
1731The :mod:`curses.textpad` module provides a :class:`Textbox` class that handles
1732elementary text editing in a curses window, supporting a set of keybindings
1733resembling those of Emacs (thus, also of Netscape Navigator, BBedit 6.x,
1734FrameMaker, and many other programs).  The module also provides a
1735rectangle-drawing function useful for framing text boxes or for other purposes.
1736
1737The module :mod:`curses.textpad` defines the following function:
1738
1739
1740.. function:: rectangle(win, uly, ulx, lry, lrx)
1741
1742   Draw a rectangle.  The first argument must be a window object; the remaining
1743   arguments are coordinates relative to that window.  The second and third
1744   arguments are the y and x coordinates of the upper left hand corner of the
1745   rectangle to be drawn; the fourth and fifth arguments are the y and x
1746   coordinates of the lower right hand corner. The rectangle will be drawn using
1747   VT100/IBM PC forms characters on terminals that make this possible (including
1748   xterm and most other software terminal emulators).  Otherwise it will be drawn
1749   with ASCII  dashes, vertical bars, and plus signs.
1750
1751
1752.. _curses-textpad-objects:
1753
1754Textbox objects
1755---------------
1756
1757You can instantiate a :class:`Textbox` object as follows:
1758
1759
1760.. class:: Textbox(win)
1761
1762   Return a textbox widget object.  The *win* argument should be a curses
1763   :ref:`window <curses-window-objects>` object in which the textbox is to
1764   be contained. The edit cursor of the textbox is initially located at the
1765   upper left hand corner of the containing window, with coordinates ``(0, 0)``.
1766   The instance's :attr:`stripspaces` flag is initially on.
1767
1768   :class:`Textbox` objects have the following methods:
1769
1770
1771   .. method:: edit([validator])
1772
1773      This is the entry point you will normally use.  It accepts editing
1774      keystrokes until one of the termination keystrokes is entered.  If
1775      *validator* is supplied, it must be a function.  It will be called for
1776      each keystroke entered with the keystroke as a parameter; command dispatch
1777      is done on the result. This method returns the window contents as a
1778      string; whether blanks in the window are included is affected by the
1779      :attr:`stripspaces` attribute.
1780
1781
1782   .. method:: do_command(ch)
1783
1784      Process a single command keystroke.  Here are the supported special
1785      keystrokes:
1786
1787      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1788      | Keystroke        | Action                                    |
1789      +==================+===========================================+
1790      | :kbd:`Control-A` | Go to left edge of window.                |
1791      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1792      | :kbd:`Control-B` | Cursor left, wrapping to previous line if |
1793      |                  | appropriate.                              |
1794      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1795      | :kbd:`Control-D` | Delete character under cursor.            |
1796      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1797      | :kbd:`Control-E` | Go to right edge (stripspaces off) or end |
1798      |                  | of line (stripspaces on).                 |
1799      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1800      | :kbd:`Control-F` | Cursor right, wrapping to next line when  |
1801      |                  | appropriate.                              |
1802      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1803      | :kbd:`Control-G` | Terminate, returning the window contents. |
1804      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1805      | :kbd:`Control-H` | Delete character backward.                |
1806      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1807      | :kbd:`Control-J` | Terminate if the window is 1 line,        |
1808      |                  | otherwise insert newline.                 |
1809      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1810      | :kbd:`Control-K` | If line is blank, delete it, otherwise    |
1811      |                  | clear to end of line.                     |
1812      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1813      | :kbd:`Control-L` | Refresh screen.                           |
1814      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1815      | :kbd:`Control-N` | Cursor down; move down one line.          |
1816      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1817      | :kbd:`Control-O` | Insert a blank line at cursor location.   |
1818      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1819      | :kbd:`Control-P` | Cursor up; move up one line.              |
1820      +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
1821
1822      Move operations do nothing if the cursor is at an edge where the movement
1823      is not possible.  The following synonyms are supported where possible:
1824
1825      +------------------------+------------------+
1826      | Constant               | Keystroke        |
1827      +========================+==================+
1828      | :const:`KEY_LEFT`      | :kbd:`Control-B` |
1829      +------------------------+------------------+
1830      | :const:`KEY_RIGHT`     | :kbd:`Control-F` |
1831      +------------------------+------------------+
1832      | :const:`KEY_UP`        | :kbd:`Control-P` |
1833      +------------------------+------------------+
1834      | :const:`KEY_DOWN`      | :kbd:`Control-N` |
1835      +------------------------+------------------+
1836      | :const:`KEY_BACKSPACE` | :kbd:`Control-h` |
1837      +------------------------+------------------+
1838
1839      All other keystrokes are treated as a command to insert the given
1840      character and move right (with line wrapping).
1841
1842
1843   .. method:: gather()
1844
1845      Return the window contents as a string; whether blanks in the
1846      window are included is affected by the :attr:`stripspaces` member.
1847
1848
1849   .. attribute:: stripspaces
1850
1851      This attribute is a flag which controls the interpretation of blanks in
1852      the window.  When it is on, trailing blanks on each line are ignored; any
1853      cursor motion that would land the cursor on a trailing blank goes to the
1854      end of that line instead, and trailing blanks are stripped when the window
1855      contents are gathered.
1856