Syntax of String Fields

Most terminal commands are described by string fields. The conventions that apply within string fields are listed in Table 58.2.

A colon (:) within a string must be represented as \072. A null character in a string must be encoded as \200. The Vermont Views routines will map \200 to \000.

To give the terminal sufficient time to fully implement certain commands before the next one is received, a period to delay after the command is sent may be specified. The delay, in milliseconds, may appear after the equal sign (=) in a string-command field. After the string is sent, sufficient special padding characters (generally a NULL) are sent to provide for this delay. The delay may be either an integer (i.e., 20) or an integer followed by an asterisk (*) (i.e., 20*). The asterisk (*) indicates that the delay is to be proportional to the number of lines affected by the operation. The delay specified is per line.

Unlike standard termcap entries, when proportional delay is specified, the delay specified in a string-command field must be an integer. It may not have a fractional part. For example, a delay entry of 1.5* is illegal in vvtermcap.

Note that if XON/XOFF handshaking is in effect, using the delay period is not necessary.

Table 58.2: vvtermcap String Field Conventions