
``curses`` --- Terminal handling for character-cell displays
************************************************************

Platform: Unix

*Platforms: *Unix

Changed in version 1.6: Added support for the ``ncurses`` library and
converted to a package.

The ``curses`` module provides an interface to the curses library, the
de-facto standard for portable advanced terminal handling.

While curses is most widely used in the Unix environment, versions are
available for DOS, OS/2, and possibly other systems as well.  This
extension module is designed to match the API of ncurses, an open-
source curses library hosted on Linux and the BSD variants of Unix.

Note: Since version 5.4, the ncurses library decides how to interpret non-
  ASCII data using the ``nl_langinfo`` function.  That means that you
  have to call ``locale.setlocale()`` in the application and encode
  Unicode strings using one of the system's available encodings.  This
  example uses the system's default encoding:

     import locale
     locale.setlocale(locale.LC_ALL, '')
     code = locale.getpreferredencoding()

  Then use *code* as the encoding for ``str.encode()`` calls.

See also:

   Module ``curses.ascii``
      Utilities for working with ASCII characters, regardless of your
      locale settings.

   Module ``curses.panel``
      A panel stack extension that adds depth to  curses windows.

   Module ``curses.textpad``
      Editable text widget for curses supporting  **Emacs**-like
      bindings.

   Module ``curses.wrapper``
      Convenience function to ensure proper terminal setup and
      resetting on application entry and exit.

   *Curses Programming with Python*
      Tutorial material on using curses with Python, by Andrew
      Kuchling and Eric Raymond.

   The ``Demo/curses/`` directory in the Python source distribution
   contains some example programs using the curses bindings provided
   by this module.


Functions
=========

The module ``curses`` defines the following exception:

exception exception curses.error

   Exception raised when a curses library function returns an error.

Note: Whenever *x* or *y* arguments to a function or a method are
  optional, they default to the current cursor location. Whenever
  *attr* is optional, it defaults to ``A_NORMAL``.

The module ``curses`` defines the following functions:

curses.baudrate()

   Returns the output speed of the terminal in bits per second.  On
   software terminal emulators it will have a fixed high value.
   Included for historical reasons; in former times, it was used to
   write output loops for time delays and occasionally to change
   interfaces depending on the line speed.

curses.beep()

   Emit a short attention sound.

curses.can_change_color()

   Returns true or false, depending on whether the programmer can
   change the colors displayed by the terminal.

curses.cbreak()

   Enter cbreak mode.  In cbreak mode (sometimes called "rare" mode)
   normal tty line buffering is turned off and characters are
   available to be read one by one. However, unlike raw mode, special
   characters (interrupt, quit, suspend, and flow control) retain
   their effects on the tty driver and calling program.  Calling first
   ``raw()`` then ``cbreak()`` leaves the terminal in cbreak mode.

curses.color_content(color_number)

   Returns the intensity of the red, green, and blue (RGB) components
   in the color *color_number*, which must be between ``0`` and
   ``COLORS``.  A 3-tuple is returned, containing the R,G,B values for
   the given color, which will be between ``0`` (no component) and
   ``1000`` (maximum amount of component).

curses.color_pair(color_number)

   Returns the attribute value for displaying text in the specified
   color.  This attribute value can be combined with ``A_STANDOUT``,
   ``A_REVERSE``, and the other ``A_*`` attributes.  ``pair_number()``
   is the counterpart to this function.

curses.curs_set(visibility)

   Sets the cursor state.  *visibility* can be set to 0, 1, or 2, for
   invisible, normal, or very visible.  If the terminal supports the
   visibility requested, the previous cursor state is returned;
   otherwise, an exception is raised.  On many terminals, the
   "visible" mode is an underline cursor and the "very visible" mode
   is a block cursor.

curses.def_prog_mode()

   Saves the current terminal mode as the "program" mode, the mode
   when the running program is using curses.  (Its counterpart is the
   "shell" mode, for when the program is not in curses.)  Subsequent
   calls to ``reset_prog_mode()`` will restore this mode.

curses.def_shell_mode()

   Saves the current terminal mode as the "shell" mode, the mode when
   the running program is not using curses.  (Its counterpart is the
   "program" mode, when the program is using curses capabilities.)
   Subsequent calls to ``reset_shell_mode()`` will restore this mode.

curses.delay_output(ms)

   Inserts an *ms* millisecond pause in output.

curses.doupdate()

   Update the physical screen.  The curses library keeps two data
   structures, one representing the current physical screen contents
   and a virtual screen representing the desired next state.  The
   ``doupdate()`` ground updates the physical screen to match the
   virtual screen.

   The virtual screen may be updated by a ``noutrefresh()`` call after
   write operations such as ``addstr()`` have been performed on a
   window.  The normal ``refresh()`` call is simply ``noutrefresh()``
   followed by ``doupdate()``; if you have to update multiple windows,
   you can speed performance and perhaps reduce screen flicker by
   issuing ``noutrefresh()`` calls on all windows, followed by a
   single ``doupdate()``.

curses.echo()

   Enter echo mode.  In echo mode, each character input is echoed to
   the screen as it is entered.

curses.endwin()

   De-initialize the library, and return terminal to normal status.

curses.erasechar()

   Returns the user's current erase character.  Under Unix operating
   systems this is a property of the controlling tty of the curses
   program, and is not set by the curses library itself.

curses.filter()

   The ``filter()`` routine, if used, must be called before
   ``initscr()`` is called.  The effect is that, during those calls,
   LINES is set to 1; the capabilities clear, cup, cud, cud1, cuu1,
   cuu, vpa are disabled; and the home string is set to the value of
   cr. The effect is that the cursor is confined to the current line,
   and so are screen updates.  This may be used for enabling
   character-at-a-time  line editing without touching the rest of the
   screen.

curses.flash()

   Flash the screen.  That is, change it to reverse-video and then
   change it back in a short interval.  Some people prefer such as
   'visible bell' to the audible attention signal produced by
   ``beep()``.

curses.flushinp()

   Flush all input buffers.  This throws away any  typeahead  that
   has been typed by the user and has not yet been processed by the
   program.

curses.getmouse()

   After ``getch()`` returns ``KEY_MOUSE`` to signal a mouse event,
   this method should be call to retrieve the queued mouse event,
   represented as a 5-tuple ``(id, x, y, z, bstate)``. *id* is an ID
   value used to distinguish multiple devices, and *x*, *y*, *z* are
   the event's coordinates.  (*z* is currently unused.).  *bstate* is
   an integer value whose bits will be set to indicate the type of
   event, and will be the bitwise OR of one or more of the following
   constants, where *n* is the button number from 1 to 4:
   ``BUTTONn_PRESSED``, ``BUTTONn_RELEASED``, ``BUTTONn_CLICKED``,
   ``BUTTONn_DOUBLE_CLICKED``, ``BUTTONn_TRIPLE_CLICKED``,
   ``BUTTON_SHIFT``, ``BUTTON_CTRL``, ``BUTTON_ALT``.

curses.getsyx()

   Returns the current coordinates of the virtual screen cursor in y
   and x.  If leaveok is currently true, then -1,-1 is returned.

curses.getwin(file)

   Reads window related data stored in the file by an earlier
   ``putwin()`` call. The routine then creates and initializes a new
   window using that data, returning the new window object.

curses.has_colors()

   Returns true if the terminal can display colors; otherwise, it
   returns false.

curses.has_ic()

   Returns true if the terminal has insert- and delete- character
   capabilities. This function is included for historical reasons
   only, as all modern software terminal emulators have such
   capabilities.

curses.has_il()

   Returns true if the terminal has insert- and delete-line
   capabilities,  or  can simulate  them  using scrolling regions.
   This function is included for historical reasons only, as all
   modern software terminal emulators have such capabilities.

curses.has_key(ch)

   Takes a key value *ch*, and returns true if the current terminal
   type recognizes a key with that value.

curses.halfdelay(tenths)

   Used for half-delay mode, which is similar to cbreak mode in that
   characters typed by the user are immediately available to the
   program. However, after blocking for *tenths* tenths of seconds, an
   exception is raised if nothing has been typed.  The value of
   *tenths* must be a number between 1 and 255.  Use ``nocbreak()`` to
   leave half-delay mode.

curses.init_color(color_number, r, g, b)

   Changes the definition of a color, taking the number of the color
   to be changed followed by three RGB values (for the amounts of red,
   green, and blue components).  The value of *color_number* must be
   between ``0`` and ``COLORS``.  Each of *r*, *g*, *b*, must be a
   value between ``0`` and ``1000``.  When ``init_color()`` is used,
   all occurrences of that color on the screen immediately change to
   the new definition.  This function is a no-op on most terminals; it
   is active only if ``can_change_color()`` returns ``1``.

curses.init_pair(pair_number, fg, bg)

   Changes the definition of a color-pair.  It takes three arguments:
   the number of the color-pair to be changed, the foreground color
   number, and the background color number.  The value of
   *pair_number* must be between ``1`` and ``COLOR_PAIRS - 1`` (the
   ``0`` color pair is wired to white on black and cannot be changed).
   The value of *fg* and *bg* arguments must be between ``0`` and
   ``COLORS``.  If the color-pair was previously initialized, the
   screen is refreshed and all occurrences of that color-pair are
   changed to the new definition.

curses.initscr()

   Initialize the library. Returns a ``WindowObject`` which represents
   the whole screen.

   Note: If there is an error opening the terminal, the underlying curses
     library may cause the interpreter to exit.

curses.isendwin()

   Returns true if ``endwin()`` has been called (that is, the  curses
   library has been deinitialized).

curses.keyname(k)

   Return the name of the key numbered *k*.  The name of a key
   generating printable ASCII character is the key's character.  The
   name of a control-key combination is a two-character string
   consisting of a caret followed by the corresponding printable ASCII
   character.  The name of an alt-key combination (128-255) is a
   string consisting of the prefix 'M-' followed by the name of the
   corresponding ASCII character.

curses.killchar()

   Returns the user's current line kill character. Under Unix
   operating systems this is a property of the controlling tty of the
   curses program, and is not set by the curses library itself.

curses.longname()

   Returns a string containing the terminfo long name field describing
   the current terminal.  The maximum length of a verbose description
   is 128 characters.  It is defined only after the call to
   ``initscr()``.

curses.meta(yes)

   If *yes* is 1, allow 8-bit characters to be input. If *yes* is 0,
   allow only 7-bit chars.

curses.mouseinterval(interval)

   Sets the maximum time in milliseconds that can elapse between press
   and release events in order for them to be recognized as a click,
   and returns the previous interval value.  The default value is 200
   msec, or one fifth of a second.

curses.mousemask(mousemask)

   Sets the mouse events to be reported, and returns a tuple
   ``(availmask, oldmask)``.   *availmask* indicates which of the
   specified mouse events can be reported; on complete failure it
   returns 0.  *oldmask* is the previous value of the given window's
   mouse event mask.  If this function is never called, no mouse
   events are ever reported.

curses.napms(ms)

   Sleep for *ms* milliseconds.

curses.newpad(nlines, ncols)

   Creates and returns a pointer to a new pad data structure with the
   given number of lines and columns.  A pad is returned as a window
   object.

   A pad is like a window, except that it is not restricted by the
   screen size, and is not necessarily associated with a particular
   part of the screen.  Pads can be used when a large window is
   needed, and only a part of the window will be on the screen at one
   time.  Automatic refreshes of pads (such as from scrolling or
   echoing of input) do not occur.  The ``refresh()`` and
   ``noutrefresh()`` methods of a pad require 6 arguments to specify
   the part of the pad to be displayed and the location on the screen
   to be used for the display. The arguments are pminrow, pmincol,
   sminrow, smincol, smaxrow, smaxcol; the p arguments refer to the
   upper left corner of the pad region to be displayed and the s
   arguments define a clipping box on the screen within which the pad
   region is to be displayed.

curses.newwin([nlines, ncols], begin_y, begin_x)

   Return a new window, whose left-upper corner is at  ``(begin_y,
   begin_x)``, and whose height/width is  *nlines*/*ncols*.

   By default, the window will extend from the  specified position to
   the lower right corner of the screen.

curses.nl()

   Enter newline mode.  This mode translates the return key into
   newline on input, and translates newline into return and line-feed
   on output. Newline mode is initially on.

curses.nocbreak()

   Leave cbreak mode.  Return to normal "cooked" mode with line
   buffering.

curses.noecho()

   Leave echo mode.  Echoing of input characters is turned off.

curses.nonl()

   Leave newline mode.  Disable translation of return into newline on
   input, and disable low-level translation of newline into
   newline/return on output (but this does not change the behavior of
   ``addch('\n')``, which always does the equivalent of return and
   line feed on the virtual screen).  With translation off, curses can
   sometimes speed up vertical motion a little; also, it will be able
   to detect the return key on input.

curses.noqiflush()

   When the noqiflush routine is used, normal flush of input and
   output queues associated with the INTR, QUIT and SUSP characters
   will not be done.  You may want to call ``noqiflush()`` in a signal
   handler if you want output to continue as though the interrupt had
   not occurred, after the handler exits.

curses.noraw()

   Leave raw mode. Return to normal "cooked" mode with line buffering.

curses.pair_content(pair_number)

   Returns a tuple ``(fg, bg)`` containing the colors for the
   requested color pair. The value of *pair_number* must be between
   ``1`` and ``COLOR_PAIRS - 1``.

curses.pair_number(attr)

   Returns the number of the color-pair set by the attribute value
   *attr*. ``color_pair()`` is the counterpart to this function.

curses.putp(string)

   Equivalent to ``tputs(str, 1, putchar)``; emits the value of a
   specified terminfo capability for the current terminal.  Note that
   the output of putp always goes to standard output.

curses.qiflush([flag])

   If *flag* is false, the effect is the same as calling
   ``noqiflush()``. If *flag* is true, or no argument is provided, the
   queues will be flushed when these control characters are read.

curses.raw()

   Enter raw mode.  In raw mode, normal line buffering and  processing
   of interrupt, quit, suspend, and flow control keys are turned off;
   characters are presented to curses input functions one by one.

curses.reset_prog_mode()

   Restores the  terminal  to "program" mode, as previously saved  by
   ``def_prog_mode()``.

curses.reset_shell_mode()

   Restores the  terminal  to "shell" mode, as previously saved  by
   ``def_shell_mode()``.

curses.setsyx(y, x)

   Sets the virtual screen cursor to *y*, *x*. If *y* and *x* are both
   -1, then leaveok is set.

curses.setupterm([termstr, fd])

   Initializes the terminal.  *termstr* is a string giving the
   terminal name; if omitted, the value of the TERM environment
   variable will be used.  *fd* is the file descriptor to which any
   initialization sequences will be sent; if not supplied, the file
   descriptor for ``sys.stdout`` will be used.

curses.start_color()

   Must be called if the programmer wants to use colors, and before
   any other color manipulation routine is called.  It is good
   practice to call this routine right after ``initscr()``.

   ``start_color()`` initializes eight basic colors (black, red,
   green, yellow, blue, magenta, cyan, and white), and two global
   variables in the ``curses`` module, ``COLORS`` and ``COLOR_PAIRS``,
   containing the maximum number of colors and color-pairs the
   terminal can support.  It also restores the colors on the terminal
   to the values they had when the terminal was just turned on.

curses.termattrs()

   Returns a logical OR of all video attributes supported by the
   terminal.  This information is useful when a curses program needs
   complete control over the appearance of the screen.

curses.termname()

   Returns the value of the environment variable TERM, truncated to 14
   characters.

curses.tigetflag(capname)

   Returns the value of the Boolean capability corresponding to the
   terminfo capability name *capname*.  The value ``-1`` is returned
   if *capname* is not a Boolean capability, or ``0`` if it is
   canceled or absent from the terminal description.

curses.tigetnum(capname)

   Returns the value of the numeric capability corresponding to the
   terminfo capability name *capname*.  The value ``-2`` is returned
   if *capname* is not a numeric capability, or ``-1`` if it is
   canceled or absent from the terminal description.

curses.tigetstr(capname)

   Returns the value of the string capability corresponding to the
   terminfo capability name *capname*.  ``None`` is returned if
   *capname* is not a string capability, or is canceled or absent from
   the terminal description.

curses.tparm(str[, ...])

   Instantiates the string *str* with the supplied parameters, where
   *str* should be a parameterized string obtained from the terminfo
   database.  E.g. ``tparm(tigetstr("cup"), 5, 3)`` could result in
   ``'\033[6;4H'``, the exact result depending on terminal type.

curses.typeahead(fd)

   Specifies that the file descriptor *fd* be used for typeahead
   checking.  If *fd* is ``-1``, then no typeahead checking is done.

   The curses library does "line-breakout optimization" by looking for
   typeahead periodically while updating the screen.  If input is
   found, and it is coming from a tty, the current update is postponed
   until refresh or doupdate is called again, allowing faster response
   to commands typed in advance. This function allows specifying a
   different file descriptor for typeahead checking.

curses.unctrl(ch)

   Returns a string which is a printable representation of the
   character *ch*. Control characters are displayed as a caret
   followed by the character, for example as ``^C``. Printing
   characters are left as they are.

curses.ungetch(ch)

   Push *ch* so the next ``getch()`` will return it.

   Note: Only one *ch* can be pushed before ``getch()`` is called.

curses.ungetmouse(id, x, y, z, bstate)

   Push a ``KEY_MOUSE`` event onto the input queue, associating the
   given state data with it.

curses.use_env(flag)

   If used, this function should be called before ``initscr()`` or
   newterm are called.  When *flag* is false, the values of lines and
   columns specified in the terminfo database will be used, even if
   environment variables **LINES** and **COLUMNS** (used by default)
   are set, or if curses is running in a window (in which case default
   behavior would be to use the window size if **LINES** and
   **COLUMNS** are not set).

curses.use_default_colors()

   Allow use of default values for colors on terminals supporting this
   feature. Use this to support transparency in your application.  The
   default color is assigned to the color number -1. After calling
   this function,  ``init_pair(x, curses.COLOR_RED, -1)`` initializes,
   for instance, color pair *x* to a red foreground color on the
   default background.


Window Objects
==============

Window objects, as returned by ``initscr()`` and ``newwin()`` above,
have the following methods:

window.addch([y, x], ch[, attr])

   Note: A *character* means a C character (an ASCII code), rather then a
     Python character (a string of length 1). (This note is true
     whenever the documentation mentions a character.) The built-in
     ``ord()`` is handy for conveying strings to codes.

   Paint character *ch* at ``(y, x)`` with attributes *attr*,
   overwriting any character previously painter at that location.  By
   default, the character position and attributes are the current
   settings for the window object.

window.addnstr([y, x], str, n[, attr])

   Paint at most *n* characters of the  string *str* at ``(y, x)``
   with attributes *attr*, overwriting anything previously on the
   display.

window.addstr([y, x], str[, attr])

   Paint the string *str* at ``(y, x)`` with attributes *attr*,
   overwriting anything previously on the display.

window.attroff(attr)

   Remove attribute *attr* from the "background" set applied to all
   writes to the current window.

window.attron(attr)

   Add attribute *attr* from the "background" set applied to all
   writes to the current window.

window.attrset(attr)

   Set the "background" set of attributes to *attr*.  This set is
   initially 0 (no attributes).

window.bkgd(ch[, attr])

   Sets the background property of the window to the character *ch*,
   with attributes *attr*.  The change is then applied to every
   character position in that window:

   * The attribute of every character in the window  is changed to the
     new background attribute.

   * Wherever  the  former background character appears, it is changed
     to the new background character.

window.bkgdset(ch[, attr])

   Sets the window's background.  A window's background consists of a
   character and any combination of attributes.  The attribute part of
   the background is combined (OR'ed) with all non-blank characters
   that are written into the window.  Both the character and attribute
   parts of the background are combined with the blank characters.
   The background becomes a property of the character and moves with
   the character through any scrolling and insert/delete
   line/character operations.

window.border([ls[, rs[, ts[, bs[, tl[, tr[, bl[, br]]]]]]]])

   Draw a border around the edges of the window. Each parameter
   specifies  the character to use for a specific part of the border;
   see the table below for more details.  The characters can be
   specified as integers or as one-character strings.

   Note: A ``0`` value for any parameter will cause the default character
     to be used for that parameter.  Keyword parameters can *not* be
     used.  The defaults are listed in this table:

   +-------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+
   | Parameter   | Description           | Default value           |
   +=============+=======================+=========================+
   | *ls*        | Left side             | ``ACS_VLINE``           |
   +-------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+
   | *rs*        | Right side            | ``ACS_VLINE``           |
   +-------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+
   | *ts*        | Top                   | ``ACS_HLINE``           |
   +-------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+
   | *bs*        | Bottom                | ``ACS_HLINE``           |
   +-------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+
   | *tl*        | Upper-left corner     | ``ACS_ULCORNER``        |
   +-------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+
   | *tr*        | Upper-right corner    | ``ACS_URCORNER``        |
   +-------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+
   | *bl*        | Bottom-left corner    | ``ACS_LLCORNER``        |
   +-------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+
   | *br*        | Bottom-right corner   | ``ACS_LRCORNER``        |
   +-------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+

window.box([vertch, horch])

   Similar to ``border()``, but both *ls* and *rs* are *vertch* and
   both *ts* and bs are *horch*.  The default corner characters are
   always used by this function.

window.chgat([y, x][, num], attr)

   Sets the attributes of *num* characters at the current cursor
   position, or at position ``(y, x)`` if supplied. If no value of
   *num* is given or *num* = -1, the attribute will  be set on all the
   characters to the end of the line.  This function does not move the
   cursor. The changed line will be touched using the ``touchline()``
   method so that the contents will be redisplayed by the next window
   refresh.

window.clear()

   Like ``erase()``, but also causes the whole window to be repainted
   upon next call to ``refresh()``.

window.clearok(yes)

   If *yes* is 1, the next call to ``refresh()`` will clear the window
   completely.

window.clrtobot()

   Erase from cursor to the end of the window: all lines below the
   cursor are deleted, and then the equivalent of ``clrtoeol()`` is
   performed.

window.clrtoeol()

   Erase from cursor to the end of the line.

window.cursyncup()

   Updates the current cursor position of all the ancestors of the
   window to reflect the current cursor position of the window.

window.delch([y, x])

   Delete any character at ``(y, x)``.

window.deleteln()

   Delete the line under the cursor. All following lines are moved up
   by 1 line.

window.derwin([nlines, ncols], begin_y, begin_x)

   An abbreviation for "derive window", ``derwin()`` is the same as
   calling ``subwin()``, except that *begin_y* and *begin_x* are
   relative to the origin of the window, rather than relative to the
   entire screen.  Returns a window object for the derived window.

window.echochar(ch[, attr])

   Add character *ch* with attribute *attr*, and immediately  call
   ``refresh()`` on the window.

window.enclose(y, x)

   Tests whether the given pair of screen-relative character-cell
   coordinates are enclosed by the given window, returning true or
   false.  It is useful for determining what subset of the screen
   windows enclose the location of a mouse event.

window.erase()

   Clear the window.

window.getbegyx()

   Return a tuple ``(y, x)`` of co-ordinates of upper-left corner.

window.getch([y, x])

   Get a character. Note that the integer returned does *not* have to
   be in ASCII range: function keys, keypad keys and so on return
   numbers higher than 256. In no-delay mode, -1 is returned if there
   is no input, else ``getch()`` waits until a key is pressed.

window.getkey([y, x])

   Get a character, returning a string instead of an integer, as
   ``getch()`` does. Function keys, keypad keys and so on return a
   multibyte string containing the key name.  In no-delay mode, an
   exception is raised if there is no input.

window.getmaxyx()

   Return a tuple ``(y, x)`` of the height and width of the window.

window.getparyx()

   Returns the beginning coordinates of this window relative to its
   parent window into two integer variables y and x.  Returns
   ``-1,-1`` if this window has no parent.

window.getstr([y, x])

   Read a string from the user, with primitive line editing capacity.

window.getyx()

   Return a tuple ``(y, x)`` of current cursor position  relative to
   the window's upper-left corner.

window.hline([y, x], ch, n)

   Display a horizontal line starting at ``(y, x)`` with length *n*
   consisting of the character *ch*.

window.idcok(flag)

   If *flag* is false, curses no longer considers using the hardware
   insert/delete character feature of the terminal; if *flag* is true,
   use of character insertion and deletion is enabled.  When curses is
   first initialized, use of character insert/delete is enabled by
   default.

window.idlok(yes)

   If called with *yes* equal to 1, ``curses`` will try and use
   hardware line editing facilities. Otherwise, line
   insertion/deletion are disabled.

window.immedok(flag)

   If *flag* is true, any change in the window image automatically
   causes the window to be refreshed; you no longer have to call
   ``refresh()`` yourself. However, it may degrade performance
   considerably, due to repeated calls to wrefresh.  This option is
   disabled by default.

window.inch([y, x])

   Return the character at the given position in the window. The
   bottom 8 bits are the character proper, and upper bits are the
   attributes.

window.insch([y, x], ch[, attr])

   Paint character *ch* at ``(y, x)`` with attributes *attr*, moving
   the line from position *x* right by one character.

window.insdelln(nlines)

   Inserts *nlines* lines into the specified window above the current
   line.  The *nlines* bottom lines are lost.  For negative *nlines*,
   delete *nlines* lines starting with the one under the cursor, and
   move the remaining lines up.  The bottom *nlines* lines are
   cleared.  The current cursor position remains the same.

window.insertln()

   Insert a blank line under the cursor. All following lines are moved
   down by 1 line.

window.insnstr([y, x], str, n[, attr])

   Insert a character string (as many characters as will fit on the
   line) before the character under the cursor, up to *n* characters.
   If *n* is zero or negative, the entire string is inserted. All
   characters to the right of the cursor are shifted right, with the
   rightmost characters on the line being lost. The cursor position
   does not change (after moving to *y*, *x*, if specified).

window.insstr([y, x], str[, attr])

   Insert a character string (as many characters as will fit on the
   line) before the character under the cursor.  All characters to the
   right of the cursor are shifted right, with the rightmost
   characters on the line being lost.  The cursor position does not
   change (after moving to *y*, *x*, if specified).

window.instr([y, x][, n])

   Returns a string of characters, extracted from the window starting
   at the current cursor position, or at *y*, *x* if specified.
   Attributes are stripped from the characters.  If *n* is specified,
   ``instr()`` returns return a string at most *n* characters long
   (exclusive of the trailing NUL).

window.is_linetouched(line)

   Returns true if the specified line was modified since the last call
   to ``refresh()``; otherwise returns false.  Raises a
   ``curses.error`` exception if *line* is not valid for the given
   window.

window.is_wintouched()

   Returns true if the specified window was modified since the last
   call to ``refresh()``; otherwise returns false.

window.keypad(yes)

   If *yes* is 1, escape sequences generated by some keys (keypad,
   function keys) will be interpreted by ``curses``. If *yes* is 0,
   escape sequences will be left as is in the input stream.

window.leaveok(yes)

   If *yes* is 1, cursor is left where it is on update, instead of
   being at "cursor position."  This reduces cursor movement where
   possible. If possible the cursor will be made invisible.

   If *yes* is 0, cursor will always be at "cursor position" after an
   update.

window.move(new_y, new_x)

   Move cursor to ``(new_y, new_x)``.

window.mvderwin(y, x)

   Moves the window inside its parent window.  The screen-relative
   parameters of the window are not changed.  This routine is used to
   display different parts of the parent window at the same physical
   position on the screen.

window.mvwin(new_y, new_x)

   Move the window so its upper-left corner is at ``(new_y, new_x)``.

window.nodelay(yes)

   If *yes* is ``1``, ``getch()`` will be non-blocking.

window.notimeout(yes)

   If *yes* is ``1``, escape sequences will not be timed out.

   If *yes* is ``0``, after a few milliseconds, an escape sequence
   will not be interpreted, and will be left in the input stream as
   is.

window.noutrefresh()

   Mark for refresh but wait.  This function updates the data
   structure representing the desired state of the window, but does
   not force an update of the physical screen.  To accomplish that,
   call  ``doupdate()``.

window.overlay(destwin[, sminrow, smincol, dminrow, dmincol, dmaxrow, dmaxcol])

   Overlay the window on top of *destwin*. The windows need not be the
   same size, only the overlapping region is copied. This copy is non-
   destructive, which means that the current background character does
   not overwrite the old contents of *destwin*.

   To get fine-grained control over the copied region, the second form
   of ``overlay()`` can be used. *sminrow* and *smincol* are the
   upper-left coordinates of the source window, and the other
   variables mark a rectangle in the destination window.

window.overwrite(destwin[, sminrow, smincol, dminrow, dmincol, dmaxrow, dmaxcol])

   Overwrite the window on top of *destwin*. The windows need not be
   the same size, in which case only the overlapping region is copied.
   This copy is destructive, which means that the current background
   character overwrites the old contents of *destwin*.

   To get fine-grained control over the copied region, the second form
   of ``overwrite()`` can be used. *sminrow* and *smincol* are the
   upper-left coordinates of the source window, the other variables
   mark a rectangle in the destination window.

window.putwin(file)

   Writes all data associated with the window into the provided file
   object.  This information can be later retrieved using the
   ``getwin()`` function.

window.redrawln(beg, num)

   Indicates that the *num* screen lines, starting at line *beg*, are
   corrupted and should be completely redrawn on the next
   ``refresh()`` call.

window.redrawwin()

   Touches the entire window, causing it to be completely redrawn on
   the next ``refresh()`` call.

window.refresh([pminrow, pmincol, sminrow, smincol, smaxrow, smaxcol])

   Update the display immediately (sync actual screen with previous
   drawing/deleting methods).

   The 6 optional arguments can only be specified when the window is a
   pad created with ``newpad()``.  The additional parameters are
   needed to indicate what part of the pad and screen are involved.
   *pminrow* and *pmincol* specify the upper left-hand corner of the
   rectangle to be displayed in the pad.  *sminrow*, *smincol*,
   *smaxrow*, and *smaxcol* specify the edges of the rectangle to be
   displayed on the screen.  The lower right-hand corner of the
   rectangle to be displayed in the pad is calculated from the screen
   coordinates, since the rectangles must be the same size.  Both
   rectangles must be entirely contained within their respective
   structures.  Negative values of *pminrow*, *pmincol*, *sminrow*, or
   *smincol* are treated as if they were zero.

window.scroll([lines=1])

   Scroll the screen or scrolling region upward by *lines* lines.

window.scrollok(flag)

   Controls what happens when the cursor of a window is moved off the
   edge of the window or scrolling region, either as a result of a
   newline action on the bottom line, or typing the last character of
   the last line.  If *flag* is false, the cursor is left on the
   bottom line.  If *flag* is true, the window is scrolled up one
   line.  Note that in order to get the physical scrolling effect on
   the terminal, it is also necessary to call ``idlok()``.

window.setscrreg(top, bottom)

   Set the scrolling region from line *top* to line *bottom*. All
   scrolling actions will take place in this region.

window.standend()

   Turn off the standout attribute.  On some terminals this has the
   side effect of turning off all attributes.

window.standout()

   Turn on attribute *A_STANDOUT*.

window.subpad([nlines, ncols], begin_y, begin_x)

   Return a sub-window, whose upper-left corner is at ``(begin_y,
   begin_x)``, and whose width/height is *ncols*/*nlines*.

window.subwin([nlines, ncols], begin_y, begin_x)

   Return a sub-window, whose upper-left corner is at ``(begin_y,
   begin_x)``, and whose width/height is *ncols*/*nlines*.

   By default, the sub-window will extend from the specified position
   to the lower right corner of the window.

window.syncdown()

   Touches each location in the window that has been touched in any of
   its ancestor windows.  This routine is called by ``refresh()``, so
   it should almost never be necessary to call it manually.

window.syncok(flag)

   If called with *flag* set to true, then ``syncup()`` is called
   automatically whenever there is a change in the window.

window.syncup()

   Touches all locations in ancestors of the window that have been
   changed in  the window.

window.timeout(delay)

   Sets blocking or non-blocking read behavior for the window.  If
   *delay* is negative, blocking read is used (which will wait
   indefinitely for input).  If *delay* is zero, then non-blocking
   read is used, and -1 will be returned by ``getch()`` if no input is
   waiting.  If *delay* is positive, then ``getch()`` will block for
   *delay* milliseconds, and return -1 if there is still no input at
   the end of that time.

window.touchline(start, count[, changed])

   Pretend *count* lines have been changed, starting with line
   *start*.  If *changed* is supplied, it specifies whether the
   affected lines are marked as having been changed (*changed*=1) or
   unchanged (*changed*=0).

window.touchwin()

   Pretend the whole window has been changed, for purposes of drawing
   optimizations.

window.untouchwin()

   Marks all lines in  the  window  as unchanged since the last call
   to ``refresh()``.

window.vline([y, x], ch, n)

   Display a vertical line starting at ``(y, x)`` with length *n*
   consisting of the character *ch*.


Constants
=========

The ``curses`` module defines the following data members:

curses.ERR

   Some curses routines  that  return  an integer, such as
   ``getch()``, return ``ERR`` upon failure.

curses.OK

   Some curses routines  that  return  an integer, such as
   ``napms()``, return ``OK`` upon success.

curses.version

   A string representing the current version of the module.  Also
   available as ``__version__``.

Several constants are available to specify character cell attributes:

+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| Attribute          | Meaning                         |
+====================+=================================+
| ``A_ALTCHARSET``   | Alternate character set mode.   |
+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| ``A_BLINK``        | Blink mode.                     |
+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| ``A_BOLD``         | Bold mode.                      |
+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| ``A_DIM``          | Dim mode.                       |
+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| ``A_NORMAL``       | Normal attribute.               |
+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| ``A_STANDOUT``     | Standout mode.                  |
+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| ``A_UNDERLINE``    | Underline mode.                 |
+--------------------+---------------------------------+

Keys are referred to by integer constants with names starting with
``KEY_``. The exact keycaps available are system dependent.

+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| Key constant        | Key                                          |
+=====================+==============================================+
| ``KEY_MIN``         | Minimum key value                            |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_BREAK``       | Break key (unreliable)                       |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_DOWN``        | Down-arrow                                   |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_UP``          | Up-arrow                                     |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_LEFT``        | Left-arrow                                   |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_RIGHT``       | Right-arrow                                  |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_HOME``        | Home key (upward+left arrow)                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_BACKSPACE``   | Backspace (unreliable)                       |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_F0``          | Function keys.  Up to 64 function keys are   |
|                     | supported.                                   |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_Fn``          | Value of function key *n*                    |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_DL``          | Delete line                                  |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_IL``          | Insert line                                  |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_DC``          | Delete character                             |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_IC``          | Insert char or enter insert mode             |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_EIC``         | Exit insert char mode                        |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_CLEAR``       | Clear screen                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_EOS``         | Clear to end of screen                       |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_EOL``         | Clear to end of line                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SF``          | Scroll 1 line forward                        |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SR``          | Scroll 1 line backward (reverse)             |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_NPAGE``       | Next page                                    |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_PPAGE``       | Previous page                                |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_STAB``        | Set tab                                      |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_CTAB``        | Clear tab                                    |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_CATAB``       | Clear all tabs                               |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_ENTER``       | Enter or send (unreliable)                   |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SRESET``      | Soft (partial) reset (unreliable)            |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_RESET``       | Reset or hard reset (unreliable)             |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_PRINT``       | Print                                        |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_LL``          | Home down or bottom (lower left)             |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_A1``          | Upper left of keypad                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_A3``          | Upper right of keypad                        |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_B2``          | Center of keypad                             |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_C1``          | Lower left of keypad                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_C3``          | Lower right of keypad                        |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_BTAB``        | Back tab                                     |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_BEG``         | Beg (beginning)                              |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_CANCEL``      | Cancel                                       |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_CLOSE``       | Close                                        |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_COMMAND``     | Cmd (command)                                |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_COPY``        | Copy                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_CREATE``      | Create                                       |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_END``         | End                                          |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_EXIT``        | Exit                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_FIND``        | Find                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_HELP``        | Help                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_MARK``        | Mark                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_MESSAGE``     | Message                                      |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_MOVE``        | Move                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_NEXT``        | Next                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_OPEN``        | Open                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_OPTIONS``     | Options                                      |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_PREVIOUS``    | Prev (previous)                              |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_REDO``        | Redo                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_REFERENCE``   | Ref (reference)                              |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_REFRESH``     | Refresh                                      |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_REPLACE``     | Replace                                      |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_RESTART``     | Restart                                      |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_RESUME``      | Resume                                       |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SAVE``        | Save                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SBEG``        | Shifted Beg (beginning)                      |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SCANCEL``     | Shifted Cancel                               |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SCOMMAND``    | Shifted Command                              |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SCOPY``       | Shifted Copy                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SCREATE``     | Shifted Create                               |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SDC``         | Shifted Delete char                          |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SDL``         | Shifted Delete line                          |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SELECT``      | Select                                       |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SEND``        | Shifted End                                  |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SEOL``        | Shifted Clear line                           |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SEXIT``       | Shifted Dxit                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SFIND``       | Shifted Find                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SHELP``       | Shifted Help                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SHOME``       | Shifted Home                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SIC``         | Shifted Input                                |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SLEFT``       | Shifted Left arrow                           |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SMESSAGE``    | Shifted Message                              |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SMOVE``       | Shifted Move                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SNEXT``       | Shifted Next                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SOPTIONS``    | Shifted Options                              |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SPREVIOUS``   | Shifted Prev                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SPRINT``      | Shifted Print                                |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SREDO``       | Shifted Redo                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SREPLACE``    | Shifted Replace                              |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SRIGHT``      | Shifted Right arrow                          |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SRSUME``      | Shifted Resume                               |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SSAVE``       | Shifted Save                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SSUSPEND``    | Shifted Suspend                              |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SUNDO``       | Shifted Undo                                 |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_SUSPEND``     | Suspend                                      |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_UNDO``        | Undo                                         |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_MOUSE``       | Mouse event has occurred                     |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_RESIZE``      | Terminal resize event                        |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| ``KEY_MAX``         | Maximum key value                            |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+

On VT100s and their software emulations, such as X terminal emulators,
there are normally at least four function keys (``KEY_F1``,
``KEY_F2``, ``KEY_F3``, ``KEY_F4``) available, and the arrow keys
mapped to ``KEY_UP``, ``KEY_DOWN``, ``KEY_LEFT`` and ``KEY_RIGHT`` in
the obvious way.  If your machine has a PC keyboard, it is safe to
expect arrow keys and twelve function keys (older PC keyboards may
have only ten function keys); also, the following keypad mappings are
standard:

+--------------------+-------------+
| Keycap             | Constant    |
+====================+=============+
| ``Insert``         | KEY_IC      |
+--------------------+-------------+
| ``Delete``         | KEY_DC      |
+--------------------+-------------+
| ``Home``           | KEY_HOME    |
+--------------------+-------------+
| ``End``            | KEY_END     |
+--------------------+-------------+
| ``Page Up``        | KEY_NPAGE   |
+--------------------+-------------+
| ``Page Down``      | KEY_PPAGE   |
+--------------------+-------------+

The following table lists characters from the alternate character set.
These are inherited from the VT100 terminal, and will generally be
available on software emulations such as X terminals.  When there is
no graphic available, curses falls back on a crude printable ASCII
approximation.

Note: These are available only after ``initscr()`` has  been called.

+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ACS code           | Meaning                                    |
+====================+============================================+
| ``ACS_BBSS``       | alternate name for upper right corner      |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_BLOCK``      | solid square block                         |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_BOARD``      | board of squares                           |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_BSBS``       | alternate name for horizontal line         |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_BSSB``       | alternate name for upper left corner       |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_BSSS``       | alternate name for top tee                 |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_BTEE``       | bottom tee                                 |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_BULLET``     | bullet                                     |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_CKBOARD``    | checker board (stipple)                    |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_DARROW``     | arrow pointing down                        |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_DEGREE``     | degree symbol                              |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_DIAMOND``    | diamond                                    |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_GEQUAL``     | greater-than-or-equal-to                   |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_HLINE``      | horizontal line                            |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_LANTERN``    | lantern symbol                             |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_LARROW``     | left arrow                                 |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_LEQUAL``     | less-than-or-equal-to                      |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_LLCORNER``   | lower left-hand corner                     |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_LRCORNER``   | lower right-hand corner                    |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_LTEE``       | left tee                                   |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_NEQUAL``     | not-equal sign                             |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_PI``         | letter pi                                  |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_PLMINUS``    | plus-or-minus sign                         |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_PLUS``       | big plus sign                              |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_RARROW``     | right arrow                                |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_RTEE``       | right tee                                  |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_S1``         | scan line 1                                |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_S3``         | scan line 3                                |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_S7``         | scan line 7                                |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_S9``         | scan line 9                                |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_SBBS``       | alternate name for lower right corner      |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_SBSB``       | alternate name for vertical line           |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_SBSS``       | alternate name for right tee               |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_SSBB``       | alternate name for lower left corner       |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_SSBS``       | alternate name for bottom tee              |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_SSSB``       | alternate name for left tee                |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_SSSS``       | alternate name for crossover or big plus   |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_STERLING``   | pound sterling                             |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_TTEE``       | top tee                                    |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_UARROW``     | up arrow                                   |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_ULCORNER``   | upper left corner                          |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_URCORNER``   | upper right corner                         |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ``ACS_VLINE``      | vertical line                              |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------+

The following table lists the predefined colors:

+---------------------+------------------------------+
| Constant            | Color                        |
+=====================+==============================+
| ``COLOR_BLACK``     | Black                        |
+---------------------+------------------------------+
| ``COLOR_BLUE``      | Blue                         |
+---------------------+------------------------------+
| ``COLOR_CYAN``      | Cyan (light greenish blue)   |
+---------------------+------------------------------+
| ``COLOR_GREEN``     | Green                        |
+---------------------+------------------------------+
| ``COLOR_MAGENTA``   | Magenta (purplish red)       |
+---------------------+------------------------------+
| ``COLOR_RED``       | Red                          |
+---------------------+------------------------------+
| ``COLOR_WHITE``     | White                        |
+---------------------+------------------------------+
| ``COLOR_YELLOW``    | Yellow                       |
+---------------------+------------------------------+


``curses.textpad`` --- Text input widget for curses programs
************************************************************

New in version 1.6.

The ``curses.textpad`` module provides a ``Textbox`` class that
handles elementary text editing in a curses window, supporting a set
of keybindings resembling those of Emacs (thus, also of Netscape
Navigator, BBedit 6.x, FrameMaker, and many other programs).  The
module also provides a rectangle-drawing function useful for framing
text boxes or for other purposes.

The module ``curses.textpad`` defines the following function:

curses.textpad.rectangle(win, uly, ulx, lry, lrx)

   Draw a rectangle.  The first argument must be a window object; the
   remaining arguments are coordinates relative to that window.  The
   second and third arguments are the y and x coordinates of the upper
   left hand corner of the rectangle to be drawn; the fourth and fifth
   arguments are the y and x coordinates of the lower right hand
   corner. The rectangle will be drawn using VT100/IBM PC forms
   characters on terminals that make this possible (including xterm
   and most other software terminal emulators).  Otherwise it will be
   drawn with ASCII  dashes, vertical bars, and plus signs.


Textbox objects
===============

You can instantiate a ``Textbox`` object as follows:

class class curses.textpad.Textbox(win)

   Return a textbox widget object.  The *win* argument should be a
   curses ``WindowObject`` in which the textbox is to be contained.
   The edit cursor of the textbox is initially located at the upper
   left hand corner of the containing window, with coordinates ``(0,
   0)``. The instance's ``stripspaces`` flag is initially on.

   ``Textbox`` objects have the following methods:

   edit([validator])

      This is the entry point you will normally use.  It accepts
      editing keystrokes until one of the termination keystrokes is
      entered.  If *validator* is supplied, it must be a function.  It
      will be called for each keystroke entered with the keystroke as
      a parameter; command dispatch is done on the result. This method
      returns the window contents as a string; whether blanks in the
      window are included is affected by the ``stripspaces`` member.

   do_command(ch)

      Process a single command keystroke.  Here are the supported
      special keystrokes:

      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | Keystroke          | Action                                      |
      +====================+=============================================+
      | ``Control-A``      | Go to left edge of window.                  |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-B``      | Cursor left, wrapping to previous line if   |
      |                    | appropriate.                                |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-D``      | Delete character under cursor.              |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-E``      | Go to right edge (stripspaces off) or end   |
      |                    | of line (stripspaces on).                   |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-F``      | Cursor right, wrapping to next line when    |
      |                    | appropriate.                                |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-G``      | Terminate, returning the window contents.   |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-H``      | Delete character backward.                  |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-J``      | Terminate if the window is 1 line,          |
      |                    | otherwise insert newline.                   |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-K``      | If line is blank, delete it, otherwise      |
      |                    | clear to end of line.                       |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-L``      | Refresh screen.                             |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-N``      | Cursor down; move down one line.            |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-O``      | Insert a blank line at cursor location.     |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+
      | ``Control-P``      | Cursor up; move up one line.                |
      +--------------------+---------------------------------------------+

      Move operations do nothing if the cursor is at an edge where the
      movement is not possible.  The following synonyms are supported
      where possible:

      +--------------------------+--------------------+
      | Constant                 | Keystroke          |
      +==========================+====================+
      | ``KEY_LEFT``             | ``Control-B``      |
      +--------------------------+--------------------+
      | ``KEY_RIGHT``            | ``Control-F``      |
      +--------------------------+--------------------+
      | ``KEY_UP``               | ``Control-P``      |
      +--------------------------+--------------------+
      | ``KEY_DOWN``             | ``Control-N``      |
      +--------------------------+--------------------+
      | ``KEY_BACKSPACE``        | ``Control-h``      |
      +--------------------------+--------------------+

      All other keystrokes are treated as a command to insert the
      given character and move right (with line wrapping).

   gather()

      This method returns the window contents as a string; whether
      blanks in the window are included is affected by the
      ``stripspaces`` member.

   stripspaces

      This data member is a flag which controls the interpretation of
      blanks in the window.  When it is on, trailing blanks on each
      line are ignored; any cursor motion that would land the cursor
      on a trailing blank goes to the end of that line instead, and
      trailing blanks are stripped when the window contents are
      gathered.


``curses.wrapper`` --- Terminal handler for curses programs
***********************************************************

New in version 1.6.

This module supplies one function, ``wrapper()``, which runs another
function which should be the rest of your curses-using application.
If the application raises an exception, ``wrapper()`` will restore the
terminal to a sane state before re-raising the exception and
generating a traceback.

curses.wrapper.wrapper(func, ...)

   Wrapper function that initializes curses and calls another
   function, *func*, restoring normal keyboard/screen behavior on
   error. The callable object *func* is then passed the main window
   'stdscr' as its first argument, followed by any other arguments
   passed to ``wrapper()``.

Before calling the hook function, ``wrapper()`` turns on cbreak mode,
turns off echo, enables the terminal keypad, and initializes colors if
the terminal has color support.  On exit (whether normally or by
exception) it restores cooked mode, turns on echo, and disables the
terminal keypad.
