Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!ncar!boulder!sunybcs!canisius!sigmast!dgy
From: dgy@sigmast.UUCP (Dave Yearke)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.wizards
Subject: Re: terminfo
Summary: Termcap can be too "free form."
Keywords: terminfo termcap
Message-ID: <607@sigmast.UUCP>
Date: 29 Aug 88 16:45:50 GMT
References: <508@altos86.UUCP> <10544@ulysses.homer.nj.att.com> <4577@cbmvax.UUCP>
Sender: nobody@cs.Buffalo.EDU
Organization: Sigma Systems Technology, Inc., Buffalo NY
Lines: 19

In article <4577@cbmvax.UUCP> ditto@cbmvax.UUCP (Michael "Ford" Ditto) writes:
>                                              ... A significant advantage
>of termcap over terminfo is that it is "free form" ... you can add
>capabilities without having to redefine (and recompile) your database.

This can be a disadvantage, too.  It is most annoying when different
applications invent their own termcap capabilities and they "collide" by
using the same mnemonics.  Terminfo forces you to use its mnemonics, but
it is complete enough that it usually doesn't matter.

>I'm just playing Devil's Advocate, of course; I think terminfo is
>superior overall.

I agree.

-- 
		Dave Yearke, Sigma Systems Technology, Inc.
		   5813 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221
		          ...!sunybcs!sigmast!dgy