editline(3)

NAME

       editline - command-line editing library with history

SYNOPSIS

       char *
       readline(prompt)
            char *prompt;

       void
       add_history(line)
           char  *line;

DESCRIPTION

       Editline is a library that provides an line-editing interface with text
       recall.  It is intended to be compatible with the readline library pro-
       vided  by  the Free Software Foundation, but much smaller.  The bulk of
       this manual page describes the user interface.

       The readline routine returns a line of text with the  trailing  newline
       removed.  The data is returned in a buffer allocated with malloc(3), so
       the space should be released with free(3) when the calling  program  is
       done  with  it.   Before  accepting  input from the user, the specified
       prompt is displayed on the terminal.

       The add_history routine makes a copy of the specified line and adds  it
       to the internal history list.

   User Interface
       A  program  that uses this library provides a simple emacs-like editing
       interface to its users.  A line may be edited before it is sent to  the
       calling   program   by  typing  either  control  characters  or  escape
       sequences.  A control character, shown as a caret followed by a letter,
       is typed by holding down the ``control'' key while the letter is typed.
       For example, ``^A'' is a control-A.  An escape sequence is  entered  by
       typing  the  ``escape''  key  followed  by one or more characters.  The
       escape key is abbreviated as ``ESC.''  Note that unlike  control  keys,
       case  matters  in  escape  sequences;  ``ESC F''  is  not  the  same as
       ``ESC f''.

       An editing command may be typed anywhere on the line, not just  at  the
       beginning.   In  addition,  a  return may also be typed anywhere on the
       line, not just at the end.

       Most editing commands may be given a repeat count, n, where n is a num-
       ber.   To  enter  a  repeat count, type the escape key, the number, and
       then the command to execute.  For example, ``ESC 4 ^f''  moves  forward
       four  characters.   If  a  command may be given a repeat count then the
       text ``[n]'' is given at the end of its description.

       The following control characters are accepted:
              ^A       Move to the beginning of the line
              ^B       Move left (backwards) [n]
              ^D       Delete character [n]
              ^E       Move to end of line
              ^F       Move right (forwards) [n]
              ^G       Ring the bell
              ^H       Delete character before cursor (backspace key) [n]
              ^I       Complete filename (tab key); see below
              ^J       Done with line (return key)
              ^K       Kill to end of line (or column [n])
              ^L       Redisplay line
              ^M       Done with line (alternate return key)
              ^N       Get next line from history [n]
              ^P       Get previous line from history [n]
              ^R       Search backward (forward if [n]) through history for text;
                       must start line if text begins with an uparrow
              ^T       Transpose characters
              ^V       Insert next character, even if it is an edit command
              ^W       Wipe to the mark
              ^X^X     Exchange current location and mark
              ^Y       Yank back last killed text
              ^[       Start an escape sequence (escape key)
              ^]c      Move forward to next character ``c''
              ^?       Delete character before cursor (delete key) [n]

       The following escape sequences are provided.
              ESC ^H   Delete previous word (backspace key) [n]
              ESC DEL  Delete previous word (delete key) [n]
              ESC SP   Set the mark (space key); see ^X^X and ^Y above
              ESC .    Get the last (or [n]'th) word from previous line
              ESC ?    Show possible completions; see below
              ESC <    Move to start of history
              ESC >    Move to end of history
              ESC b    Move backward a word [n]
              ESC d    Delete word under cursor [n]
              ESC f    Move forward a word [n]
              ESC l    Make word lowercase [n]
              ESC u    Make word uppercase [n]
              ESC y    Yank back last killed text
              ESC v    Show library version
              ESC w    Make area up to mark yankable
              ESC nn   Set repeat count to the number nn
              ESC C    Read from environment variable ``_C_'', where C is
                       an uppercase letter

       The editline library has a small  macro  facility.   If  you  type  the
       escape key followed by an uppercase letter, C, then the contents of the
       environment variable _C_ are read in as if you had typed  them  at  the
       keyboard.  For example, if the variable _L_ contains the following:
              ^A^Kecho '^V^[[H^V^[[2J'^M
       Then  typing ``ESC L'' will move to the beginning of the line, kill the
       entire line, enter the echo command needed to clear  the  terminal  (if
       your terminal is like a VT-100), and send the line back to the shell.

       The  editline  library also does filename completion.  Suppose the root
       directory has the following files in it:
              bin    vmunix
              core   vmunix.old
       If you type ``rm /v'' and then the tab key.  Editline will then  finish
       off  as  much of the name as possible by adding ``munix''.  Because the
       name is not unique, it will then beep.  If you type the escape key  and
       a  question  mark, it will display the two choices.  If you then type a
       period and a tab, the library will finish off the filename for you:
              rm /v[TAB]munix.TABold
       The tab key is shown by ``[TAB]'' and the automatically-entered text is
       shown in italics.

BUGS AND LIMITATIONS

       Cannot handle lines more than 80 columns.

AUTHORS

       Simmule  R.  Turner  <uunet.uu.net!capitol!sysgo!simmy>  and  Rich $alz
       <rsalz@osf.org>.   Original  manual  page   by   DaviD   W.   Sanderson
       <dws@ssec.wisc.edu>.

                                                                   EDITLINE(3)