Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!hellgate.utah.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!pasteur!cory.Berkeley.EDU!fadden From: fadden@cory.Berkeley.EDU (Andy McFadden) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2 Subject: Re: Curses and the IIGS Message-ID: <11420@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU> Date: 25 Feb 91 18:30:03 GMT References: <25293@netcom.COM> <12768@darkstar.ucsc.edu> Sender: news@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU Reply-To: fadden@cory.Berkeley.EDU Lines: 64 In article <12768@darkstar.ucsc.edu> unknown@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (The Unknown User) writes: > It seems to me that a desktop-based curses would only be >important for programs that used only text in the window anyhow... If you aren't porting a program already written using curses, using it to develop a desktop-based program is probably silly, since the functionality is built into the toolbox already. For text-based programs it might be useful. Most people running Rogue, Moria, Larn, Hack, or whatever on a machine with X windows change the font to something more interesting (so that walls look like walls instead of '#' or whatever). Same applies to the //gs. Nice way to spruce up a program without changing the original code. Curses allows you to create subwindows, which could be made with "real" //gs windows instead of performing complicated overlaying in memory (well, it's not THAT complicated, but it's one piece of code which could be omitted from a desktop library). > So, as far as the cursor-moving capabilities, they would be easy... >Simply translate a curses call to a MoveTo, or more appropriately, a Move [snip] > Are any of my ramblings about Move correct in terms of a curses >port?! If you like. As always, there are plenty of other ways to go about it. And it's hardly the most challenging part :-( . >>Curses would definitely be something that could work well on the desktop though. >>I say this because curses is based on WINDOWS! > > This I do have something to correct you on... I am virtually positive >you are reading the word "windows" and misconstruing it. (likewise, I'm sure) > I believe curses >is based on the UNIX program "window".. (I typed it when I first saw your >post and it indeed is a program for making a bunch of 'windows' when you're >on a terminal connected to a UNIX host. What?!? Curses is based on the UNIX program "vi", NOT "window". In fact, it's fairly safe to guess that "window" uses curses... For people without "window" on their system, try to picture Jove or Emacs in split-screen mode, with a shell in every window. > I would also guess curses is much older than the Microsoft Windows >you're talking about... {Did you hear that Bill Gates built his new mansion True. But I think you missed the point. >/Apple II(GS) Forever! unknown@ucscb.ucsc.edu MAIL ME FOR INFO ABOUT CHEAP CDs\ Incidentally, A/UX has a curses library. I don't think the source would be of much use, however. The IBM or Amiga curses lib would probably be better. -- fadden@cory.berkeley.edu (Andy McFadden) ..!ucbvax!cory!fadden fadden@hermes.berkeley.edu (when cory throws up) Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com