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      1 :mod:`curses` --- Terminal handling for character-cell displays
      2 ===============================================================
      3 
      4 .. module:: curses
      5    :synopsis: An interface to the curses library, providing portable terminal
      6               handling.
      7    :platform: Unix
      8 .. sectionauthor:: Moshe Zadka <moshez (a] zadka.site.co.il>
      9 .. sectionauthor:: Eric Raymond <esr (a] thyrsus.com>
     10 
     11 .. versionchanged:: 1.6
     12    Added support for the ``ncurses`` library and converted to a package.
     13 
     14 The :mod:`curses` module provides an interface to the curses library, the
     15 de-facto standard for portable advanced terminal handling.
     16 
     17 While curses is most widely used in the Unix environment, versions are available
     18 for DOS, OS/2, and possibly other systems as well.  This extension module is
     19 designed to match the API of ncurses, an open-source curses library hosted on
     20 Linux and the BSD variants of Unix.
     21 
     22 .. note::
     23 
     24    Since version 5.4, the ncurses library decides how to interpret non-ASCII data
     25    using the ``nl_langinfo`` function.  That means that you have to call
     26    :func:`locale.setlocale` in the application and encode Unicode strings
     27    using one of the system's available encodings.  This example uses the
     28    system's default encoding::
     29 
     30       import locale
     31       locale.setlocale(locale.LC_ALL, '')
     32       code = locale.getpreferredencoding()
     33 
     34    Then use *code* as the encoding for :meth:`str.encode` calls.
     35 
     36 .. seealso::
     37 
     38    Module :mod:`curses.ascii`
     39       Utilities for working with ASCII characters, regardless of your locale settings.
     40 
     41    Module :mod:`curses.panel`
     42       A panel stack extension that adds depth to  curses windows.
     43 
     44    Module :mod:`curses.textpad`
     45       Editable text widget for curses supporting  :program:`Emacs`\ -like bindings.
     46 
     47    :ref:`curses-howto`
     48       Tutorial material on using curses with Python, by Andrew Kuchling and Eric
     49       Raymond.
     50 
     51    The :source:`Demo/curses/` directory in the Python source distribution contains
     52    some example programs using the curses bindings provided by this module.
     53 
     54 
     55 .. _curses-functions:
     56 
     57 Functions
     58 ---------
     59 
     60 The module :mod:`curses` defines the following exception:
     61 
     62 
     63 .. exception:: error
     64 
     65    Exception raised when a curses library function returns an error.
     66 
     67 .. note::
     68 
     69    Whenever *x* or *y* arguments to a function or a method are optional, they
     70    default to the current cursor location. Whenever *attr* is optional, it defaults
     71    to :const:`A_NORMAL`.
     72 
     73 The module :mod:`curses` defines the following functions:
     74 
     75 
     76 .. function:: baudrate()
     77 
     78    Return the output speed of the terminal in bits per second.  On software
     79    terminal emulators it will have a fixed high value. Included for historical
     80    reasons; in former times, it was used to  write output loops for time delays and
     81    occasionally to change interfaces depending on the line speed.
     82 
     83 
     84 .. function:: beep()
     85 
     86    Emit a short attention sound.
     87 
     88 
     89 .. function:: can_change_color()
     90 
     91    Return ``True`` or ``False``, depending on whether the programmer can change the colors
     92    displayed by the terminal.
     93 
     94 
     95 .. function:: cbreak()
     96 
     97    Enter cbreak mode.  In cbreak mode (sometimes called "rare" mode) normal tty
     98    line buffering is turned off and characters are available to be read one by one.
     99    However, unlike raw mode, special characters (interrupt, quit, suspend, and flow
    100    control) retain their effects on the tty driver and calling program.  Calling
    101    first :func:`raw` then :func:`cbreak` leaves the terminal in cbreak mode.
    102 
    103 
    104 .. function:: color_content(color_number)
    105 
    106    Return the intensity of the red, green, and blue (RGB) components in the color
    107    *color_number*, which must be between ``0`` and :const:`COLORS`.  A 3-tuple is
    108    returned, containing the R,G,B values for the given color, which will be between
    109    ``0`` (no component) and ``1000`` (maximum amount of component).
    110 
    111 
    112 .. function:: color_pair(color_number)
    113 
    114    Return the attribute value for displaying text in the specified color.  This
    115    attribute value can be combined with :const:`A_STANDOUT`, :const:`A_REVERSE`,
    116    and the other :const:`A_\*` attributes.  :func:`pair_number` is the counterpart
    117    to this function.
    118 
    119 
    120 .. function:: curs_set(visibility)
    121 
    122    Set the cursor state.  *visibility* can be set to 0, 1, or 2, for invisible,
    123    normal, or very visible.  If the terminal supports the visibility requested, the
    124    previous cursor state is returned; otherwise, an exception is raised.  On many
    125    terminals, the "visible" mode is an underline cursor and the "very visible" mode
    126    is a block cursor.
    127 
    128 
    129 .. function:: def_prog_mode()
    130 
    131    Save the current terminal mode as the "program" mode, the mode when the running
    132    program is using curses.  (Its counterpart is the "shell" mode, for when the
    133    program is not in curses.)  Subsequent calls to :func:`reset_prog_mode` will
    134    restore this mode.
    135 
    136 
    137 .. function:: def_shell_mode()
    138 
    139    Save the current terminal mode as the "shell" mode, the mode when the running
    140    program is not using curses.  (Its counterpart is the "program" mode, when the
    141    program is using curses capabilities.) Subsequent calls to
    142    :func:`reset_shell_mode` will restore this mode.
    143 
    144 
    145 .. function:: delay_output(ms)
    146 
    147    Insert an *ms* millisecond pause in output.
    148 
    149 
    150 .. function:: doupdate()
    151 
    152    Update the physical screen.  The curses library keeps two data structures, one
    153    representing the current physical screen contents and a virtual screen
    154    representing the desired next state.  The :func:`doupdate` ground updates the
    155    physical screen to match the virtual screen.
    156 
    157    The virtual screen may be updated by a :meth:`noutrefresh` call after write
    158    operations such as :meth:`addstr` have been performed on a window.  The normal
    159    :meth:`refresh` call is simply :meth:`noutrefresh` followed by :func:`doupdate`;
    160    if you have to update multiple windows, you can speed performance and perhaps
    161    reduce screen flicker by issuing :meth:`noutrefresh` calls on all windows,
    162    followed by a single :func:`doupdate`.
    163 
    164 
    165 .. function:: echo()
    166 
    167    Enter echo mode.  In echo mode, each character input is echoed to the screen as
    168    it is entered.
    169 
    170 
    171 .. function:: endwin()
    172 
    173    De-initialize the library, and return terminal to normal status.
    174 
    175 
    176 .. function:: erasechar()
    177 
    178    Return the user's current erase character.  Under Unix operating systems this
    179    is a property of the controlling tty of the curses program, and is not set by
    180    the curses library itself.
    181 
    182 
    183 .. function:: filter()
    184 
    185    The :func:`.filter` routine, if used, must be called before :func:`initscr` is
    186    called.  The effect is that, during those calls, :envvar:`LINES` is set to 1; the
    187    capabilities clear, cup, cud, cud1, cuu1, cuu, vpa are disabled; and the home
    188    string is set to the value of cr. The effect is that the cursor is confined to
    189    the current line, and so are screen updates.  This may be used for enabling
    190    character-at-a-time  line editing without touching the rest of the screen.
    191 
    192 
    193 .. function:: flash()
    194 
    195    Flash the screen.  That is, change it to reverse-video and then change it back
    196    in a short interval.  Some people prefer such as 'visible bell' to the audible
    197    attention signal produced by :func:`beep`.
    198 
    199 
    200 .. function:: flushinp()
    201 
    202    Flush all input buffers.  This throws away any  typeahead  that  has been typed
    203    by the user and has not yet been processed by the program.
    204 
    205 
    206 .. function:: getmouse()
    207 
    208    After :meth:`getch` returns :const:`KEY_MOUSE` to signal a mouse event, this
    209    method should be call to retrieve the queued mouse event, represented as a
    210    5-tuple ``(id, x, y, z, bstate)``. *id* is an ID value used to distinguish
    211    multiple devices, and *x*, *y*, *z* are the event's coordinates.  (*z* is
    212    currently unused.)  *bstate* is an integer value whose bits will be set to
    213    indicate the type of event, and will be the bitwise OR of one or more of the
    214    following constants, where *n* is the button number from 1 to 4:
    215    :const:`BUTTONn_PRESSED`, :const:`BUTTONn_RELEASED`, :const:`BUTTONn_CLICKED`,
    216    :const:`BUTTONn_DOUBLE_CLICKED`, :const:`BUTTONn_TRIPLE_CLICKED`,
    217    :const:`BUTTON_SHIFT`, :const:`BUTTON_CTRL`, :const:`BUTTON_ALT`.
    218 
    219 
    220 .. function:: getsyx()
    221 
    222    Return the current coordinates of the virtual screen cursor in y and x.  If
    223    leaveok is currently true, then -1,-1 is returned.
    224 
    225 
    226 .. function:: getwin(file)
    227 
    228    Read window related data stored in the file by an earlier :func:`putwin` call.
    229    The routine then creates and initializes a new window using that data, returning
    230    the new window object.
    231 
    232 
    233 .. function:: has_colors()
    234 
    235    Return ``True`` if the terminal can display colors; otherwise, return ``False``.
    236 
    237 
    238 .. function:: has_ic()
    239 
    240    Return ``True`` if the terminal has insert- and delete-character capabilities.
    241    This function is included for historical reasons only, as all modern software
    242    terminal emulators have such capabilities.
    243 
    244 
    245 .. function:: has_il()
    246 
    247    Return ``True`` if the terminal has insert- and delete-line capabilities, or can
    248    simulate  them  using scrolling regions. This function is included for
    249    historical reasons only, as all modern software terminal emulators have such
    250    capabilities.
    251 
    252 
    253 .. function:: has_key(ch)
    254 
    255    Take a key value *ch*, and return ``True`` if the current terminal type recognizes
    256    a key with that value.
    257 
    258 
    259 .. function:: halfdelay(tenths)
    260 
    261    Used for half-delay mode, which is similar to cbreak mode in that characters
    262    typed by the user are immediately available to the program. However, after
    263    blocking for *tenths* tenths of seconds, an exception is raised if nothing has
    264    been typed.  The value of *tenths* must be a number between ``1`` and ``255``.  Use
    265    :func:`nocbreak` to leave half-delay mode.
    266 
    267 
    268 .. function:: init_color(color_number, r, g, b)
    269 
    270    Change the definition of a color, taking the number of the color to be changed
    271    followed by three RGB values (for the amounts of red, green, and blue
    272    components).  The value of *color_number* must be between ``0`` and
    273    :const:`COLORS`.  Each of *r*, *g*, *b*, must be a value between ``0`` and
    274    ``1000``.  When :func:`init_color` is used, all occurrences of that color on the
    275    screen immediately change to the new definition.  This function is a no-op on
    276    most terminals; it is active only if :func:`can_change_color` returns ``1``.
    277 
    278 
    279 .. function:: init_pair(pair_number, fg, bg)
    280 
    281    Change the definition of a color-pair.  It takes three arguments: the number of
    282    the color-pair to be changed, the foreground color number, and the background
    283    color number.  The value of *pair_number* must be between ``1`` and
    284    ``COLOR_PAIRS - 1`` (the ``0`` color pair is wired to white on black and cannot
    285    be changed).  The value of *fg* and *bg* arguments must be between ``0`` and
    286    :const:`COLORS`.  If the color-pair was previously initialized, the screen is
    287    refreshed and all occurrences of that color-pair are changed to the new
    288    definition.
    289 
    290 
    291 .. function:: initscr()
    292 
    293    Initialize the library. Return a :class:`WindowObject` which represents the
    294    whole screen.
    295 
    296    .. note::
    297 
    298       If there is an error opening the terminal, the underlying curses library may
    299       cause the interpreter to exit.
    300 
    301 
    302 .. function:: is_term_resized(nlines, ncols)
    303 
    304    Return ``True`` if :func:`resize_term` would modify the window structure,
    305    ``False`` otherwise.
    306 
    307 
    308 .. function:: isendwin()
    309 
    310    Return ``True`` if :func:`endwin` has been called (that is, the  curses library has
    311    been deinitialized).
    312 
    313 
    314 .. function:: keyname(k)
    315 
    316    Return the name of the key numbered *k*.  The name of a key generating printable
    317    ASCII character is the key's character.  The name of a control-key combination
    318    is a two-character string consisting of a caret followed by the corresponding
    319    printable ASCII character.  The name of an alt-key combination (128--255) is a
    320    string consisting of the prefix 'M-' followed by the name of the corresponding
    321    ASCII character.
    322 
    323 
    324 .. function:: killchar()
    325 
    326    Return the user's current line kill character. Under Unix operating systems
    327    this is a property of the controlling tty of the curses program, and is not set
    328    by the curses library itself.
    329 
    330 
    331 .. function:: longname()
    332 
    333    Return a string containing the terminfo long name field describing the current
    334    terminal.  The maximum length of a verbose description is 128 characters.  It is
    335    defined only after the call to :func:`initscr`.
    336 
    337 
    338 .. function:: meta(yes)
    339 
    340    If *yes* is 1, allow 8-bit characters to be input. If *yes* is 0,  allow only
    341    7-bit chars.
    342 
    343 
    344 .. function:: mouseinterval(interval)
    345 
    346    Set the maximum time in milliseconds that can elapse between press and release
    347    events in order for them to be recognized as a click, and return the previous
    348    interval value.  The default value is 200 msec, or one fifth of a second.
    349 
    350 
    351 .. function:: mousemask(mousemask)
    352 
    353    Set the mouse events to be reported, and return a tuple ``(availmask,
    354    oldmask)``.   *availmask* indicates which of the specified mouse events can be
    355    reported; on complete failure it returns 0.  *oldmask* is the previous value of
    356    the given window's mouse event mask.  If this function is never called, no mouse
    357    events are ever reported.
    358 
    359 
    360 .. function:: napms(ms)
    361 
    362    Sleep for *ms* milliseconds.
    363 
    364 
    365 .. function:: newpad(nlines, ncols)
    366 
    367    Create and return a pointer to a new pad data structure with the given number
    368    of lines and columns.  A pad is returned as a window object.
    369 
    370    A pad is like a window, except that it is not restricted by the screen size, and
    371    is not necessarily associated with a particular part of the screen.  Pads can be
    372    used when a large window is needed, and only a part of the window will be on the
    373    screen at one time.  Automatic refreshes of pads (such as from scrolling or
    374    echoing of input) do not occur.  The :meth:`refresh` and :meth:`noutrefresh`
    375    methods of a pad require 6 arguments to specify the part of the pad to be
    376    displayed and the location on the screen to be used for the display. The
    377    arguments are *pminrow*, *pmincol*, *sminrow*, *smincol*, *smaxrow*, *smaxcol*; the *p*
    378    arguments refer to the upper left corner of the pad region to be displayed and
    379    the *s* arguments define a clipping box on the screen within which the pad region
    380    is to be displayed.
    381 
    382 
    383 .. function:: newwin(nlines, ncols)
    384               newwin(nlines, ncols, begin_y, begin_x)
    385 
    386    Return a new window, whose left-upper corner is at  ``(begin_y, begin_x)``, and
    387    whose height/width is  *nlines*/*ncols*.
    388 
    389    By default, the window will extend from the  specified position to the lower
    390    right corner of the screen.
    391 
    392 
    393 .. function:: nl()
    394 
    395    Enter newline mode.  This mode translates the return key into newline on input,
    396    and translates newline into return and line-feed on output. Newline mode is
    397    initially on.
    398 
    399 
    400 .. function:: nocbreak()
    401 
    402    Leave cbreak mode.  Return to normal "cooked" mode with line buffering.
    403 
    404 
    405 .. function:: noecho()
    406 
    407    Leave echo mode.  Echoing of input characters is turned off.
    408 
    409 
    410 .. function:: nonl()
    411 
    412    Leave newline mode.  Disable translation of return into newline on input, and
    413    disable low-level translation of newline into newline/return on output (but this
    414    does not change the behavior of ``addch('\n')``, which always does the
    415    equivalent of return and line feed on the virtual screen).  With translation
    416    off, curses can sometimes speed up vertical motion a little; also, it will be
    417    able to detect the return key on input.
    418 
    419 
    420 .. function:: noqiflush()
    421 
    422    When the :func:`noqiflush` routine is used, normal flush of input and output queues
    423    associated with the INTR, QUIT and SUSP characters will not be done.  You may
    424    want to call :func:`noqiflush` in a signal handler if you want output to
    425    continue as though the interrupt had not occurred, after the handler exits.
    426 
    427 
    428 .. function:: noraw()
    429 
    430    Leave raw mode. Return to normal "cooked" mode with line buffering.
    431 
    432 
    433 .. function:: pair_content(pair_number)
    434 
    435    Return a tuple ``(fg, bg)`` containing the colors for the requested color pair.
    436    The value of *pair_number* must be between ``1`` and ``COLOR_PAIRS - 1``.
    437 
    438 
    439 .. function:: pair_number(attr)
    440 
    441    Return the number of the color-pair set by the attribute value *attr*.
    442    :func:`color_pair` is the counterpart to this function.
    443 
    444 
    445 .. function:: putp(string)
    446 
    447    Equivalent to ``tputs(str, 1, putchar)``; emit the value of a specified
    448    terminfo capability for the current terminal.  Note that the output of :func:`putp`
    449    always goes to standard output.
    450 
    451 
    452 .. function:: qiflush( [flag] )
    453 
    454    If *flag* is ``False``, the effect is the same as calling :func:`noqiflush`. If
    455    *flag* is ``True``, or no argument is provided, the queues will be flushed when
    456    these control characters are read.
    457 
    458 
    459 .. function:: raw()
    460 
    461    Enter raw mode.  In raw mode, normal line buffering and  processing of
    462    interrupt, quit, suspend, and flow control keys are turned off; characters are
    463    presented to curses input functions one by one.
    464 
    465 
    466 .. function:: reset_prog_mode()
    467 
    468    Restore the  terminal  to "program" mode, as previously saved  by
    469    :func:`def_prog_mode`.
    470 
    471 
    472 .. function:: reset_shell_mode()
    473 
    474    Restore the  terminal  to "shell" mode, as previously saved  by
    475    :func:`def_shell_mode`.
    476 
    477 
    478 .. function:: resetty()
    479 
    480    Restore the state of the terminal modes to what it was at the last call to
    481    :func:`savetty`.
    482 
    483 
    484 .. function:: resize_term(nlines, ncols)
    485 
    486    Backend function used by :func:`resizeterm`, performing most of the work;
    487    when resizing the windows, :func:`resize_term` blank-fills the areas that are
    488    extended.  The calling application should fill in these areas with
    489    appropriate data.  The :func:`resize_term` function attempts to resize all
    490    windows.  However, due to the calling convention of pads, it is not possible
    491    to resize these without additional interaction with the application.
    492 
    493 
    494 .. function:: resizeterm(nlines, ncols)
    495 
    496    Resize the standard and current windows to the specified dimensions, and
    497    adjusts other bookkeeping data used by the curses library that record the
    498    window dimensions (in particular the SIGWINCH handler).
    499 
    500 
    501 .. function:: savetty()
    502 
    503    Save the current state of the terminal modes in a buffer, usable by
    504    :func:`resetty`.
    505 
    506 
    507 .. function:: setsyx(y, x)
    508 
    509    Set the virtual screen cursor to *y*, *x*. If *y* and *x* are both -1, then
    510    leaveok is set.
    511 
    512 
    513 .. function:: setupterm([termstr, fd])
    514 
    515    Initialize the terminal.  *termstr* is a string giving the terminal name; if
    516    omitted, the value of the :envvar:`TERM` environment variable will be used.  *fd* is the
    517    file descriptor to which any initialization sequences will be sent; if not
    518    supplied, the file descriptor for ``sys.stdout`` will be used.
    519 
    520 
    521 .. function:: start_color()
    522 
    523    Must be called if the programmer wants to use colors, and before any other color
    524    manipulation routine is called.  It is good practice to call this routine right
    525    after :func:`initscr`.
    526 
    527    :func:`start_color` initializes eight basic colors (black, red,  green, yellow,
    528    blue, magenta, cyan, and white), and two global variables in the :mod:`curses`
    529    module, :const:`COLORS` and :const:`COLOR_PAIRS`, containing the maximum number
    530    of colors and color-pairs the terminal can support.  It also restores the colors
    531    on the terminal to the values they had when the terminal was just turned on.
    532 
    533 
    534 .. function:: termattrs()
    535 
    536    Return a logical OR of all video attributes supported by the terminal.  This
    537    information is useful when a curses program needs complete control over the
    538    appearance of the screen.
    539 
    540 
    541 .. function:: termname()
    542 
    543    Return the value of the environment variable :envvar:`TERM`, truncated to 14 characters.
    544 
    545 
    546 .. function:: tigetflag(capname)
    547 
    548    Return the value of the Boolean capability corresponding to the terminfo
    549    capability name *capname*.  The value ``-1`` is returned if *capname* is not a
    550    Boolean capability, or ``0`` if it is canceled or absent from the terminal
    551    description.
    552 
    553 
    554 .. function:: tigetnum(capname)
    555 
    556    Return the value of the numeric capability corresponding to the terminfo
    557    capability name *capname*.  The value ``-2`` is returned if *capname* is not a
    558    numeric capability, or ``-1`` if it is canceled or absent from the terminal
    559    description.
    560 
    561 
    562 .. function:: tigetstr(capname)
    563 
    564    Return the value of the string capability corresponding to the terminfo
    565    capability name *capname*.  ``None`` is returned if *capname* is not a string
    566    capability, or is canceled or absent from the terminal description.
    567 
    568 
    569 .. function:: tparm(str[,...])
    570 
    571    Instantiate the string *str* with the supplied parameters, where *str* should
    572    be a parameterized string obtained from the terminfo database.  E.g.
    573    ``tparm(tigetstr("cup"), 5, 3)`` could result in ``'\033[6;4H'``, the exact
    574    result depending on terminal type.
    575 
    576 
    577 .. function:: typeahead(fd)
    578 
    579    Specify that the file descriptor *fd* be used for typeahead checking.  If *fd*
    580    is ``-1``, then no typeahead checking is done.
    581 
    582    The curses library does "line-breakout optimization" by looking for typeahead
    583    periodically while updating the screen.  If input is found, and it is coming
    584    from a tty, the current update is postponed until refresh or doupdate is called
    585    again, allowing faster response to commands typed in advance. This function
    586    allows specifying a different file descriptor for typeahead checking.
    587 
    588 
    589 .. function:: unctrl(ch)
    590 
    591    Return a string which is a printable representation of the character *ch*.
    592    Control characters are displayed as a caret followed by the character, for
    593    example as ``^C``. Printing characters are left as they are.
    594 
    595 
    596 .. function:: ungetch(ch)
    597 
    598    Push *ch* so the next :meth:`getch` will return it.
    599 
    600    .. note::
    601 
    602       Only one *ch* can be pushed before :meth:`getch` is called.
    603 
    604 
    605 .. function:: ungetmouse(id, x, y, z, bstate)
    606 
    607    Push a :const:`KEY_MOUSE` event onto the input queue, associating the given
    608    state data with it.
    609 
    610 
    611 .. function:: use_env(flag)
    612 
    613    If used, this function should be called before :func:`initscr` or newterm are
    614    called.  When *flag* is ``False``, the values of lines and columns specified in the
    615    terminfo database will be used, even if environment variables :envvar:`LINES`
    616    and :envvar:`COLUMNS` (used by default) are set, or if curses is running in a
    617    window (in which case default behavior would be to use the window size if
    618    :envvar:`LINES` and :envvar:`COLUMNS` are not set).
    619 
    620 
    621 .. function:: use_default_colors()
    622 
    623    Allow use of default values for colors on terminals supporting this feature. Use
    624    this to support transparency in your application.  The default color is assigned
    625    to the color number -1. After calling this function,  ``init_pair(x,
    626    curses.COLOR_RED, -1)`` initializes, for instance, color pair *x* to a red
    627    foreground color on the default background.
    628 
    629 
    630 .. function:: wrapper(func, ...)
    631 
    632    Initialize curses and call another callable object, *func*, which should be the
    633    rest of your curses-using application.  If the application raises an exception,
    634    this function will restore the terminal to a sane state before re-raising the
    635    exception and generating a traceback.  The callable object *func* is then passed
    636    the main window 'stdscr' as its first argument, followed by any other arguments
    637    passed to :func:`wrapper`.  Before calling *func*, :func:`wrapper` turns on
    638    cbreak mode, turns off echo, enables the terminal keypad, and initializes colors
    639    if the terminal has color support.  On exit (whether normally or by exception)
    640    it restores cooked mode, turns on echo, and disables the terminal keypad.
    641 
    642 
    643 .. _curses-window-objects:
    644 
    645 Window Objects
    646 --------------
    647 
    648 Window objects, as returned by :func:`initscr` and :func:`newwin` above, have
    649 the following methods:
    650 
    651 
    652 .. method:: window.addch(ch[, attr])
    653             window.addch(y, x, ch[, attr])
    654 
    655    .. note::
    656 
    657       A *character* means a C character (an ASCII code), rather than a Python
    658       character (a string of length 1). (This note is true whenever the
    659       documentation mentions a character.) The built-in :func:`ord` is handy for
    660       conveying strings to codes.
    661 
    662    Paint character *ch* at ``(y, x)`` with attributes *attr*, overwriting any
    663    character previously painter at that location.  By default, the character
    664    position and attributes are the current settings for the window object.
    665 
    666    .. note::
    667 
    668       Writing outside the window, subwindow, or pad raises a :exc:`curses.error`.
    669       Attempting to write to the lower right corner of a window, subwindow,
    670       or pad will cause an exception to be raised after the character is printed.
    671 
    672 
    673 .. method:: window.addnstr(str, n[, attr])
    674             window.addnstr(y, x, str, n[, attr])
    675 
    676    Paint at most *n* characters of the  string *str* at ``(y, x)`` with attributes
    677    *attr*, overwriting anything previously on the display.
    678 
    679 
    680 .. method:: window.addstr(str[, attr])
    681             window.addstr(y, x, str[, attr])
    682 
    683    Paint the string *str* at ``(y, x)`` with attributes *attr*, overwriting
    684    anything previously on the display.
    685 
    686    .. note::
    687 
    688       Writing outside the window, subwindow, or pad raises :exc:`curses.error`.
    689       Attempting to write to the lower right corner of a window, subwindow,
    690       or pad will cause an exception to be raised after the string is printed.
    691 
    692 
    693 .. method:: window.attroff(attr)
    694 
    695    Remove attribute *attr* from the "background" set applied to all writes to the
    696    current window.
    697 
    698 
    699 .. method:: window.attron(attr)
    700 
    701    Add attribute *attr* from the "background" set applied to all writes to the
    702    current window.
    703 
    704 
    705 .. method:: window.attrset(attr)
    706 
    707    Set the "background" set of attributes to *attr*.  This set is initially 0 (no
    708    attributes).
    709 
    710 
    711 .. method:: window.bkgd(ch[, attr])
    712 
    713    Set the background property of the window to the character *ch*, with
    714    attributes *attr*.  The change is then applied to every character position in
    715    that window:
    716 
    717    * The attribute of every character in the window  is changed to the new
    718      background attribute.
    719 
    720    * Wherever  the  former background character appears, it is changed to the new
    721      background character.
    722 
    723 
    724 .. method:: window.bkgdset(ch[, attr])
    725 
    726    Set the window's background.  A window's background consists of a character and
    727    any combination of attributes.  The attribute part of the background is combined
    728    (OR'ed) with all non-blank characters that are written into the window.  Both
    729    the character and attribute parts of the background are combined with the blank
    730    characters.  The background becomes a property of the character and moves with
    731    the character through any scrolling and insert/delete line/character operations.
    732 
    733 
    734 .. method:: window.border([ls[, rs[, ts[, bs[, tl[, tr[, bl[, br]]]]]]]])
    735 
    736    Draw a border around the edges of the window. Each parameter specifies  the
    737    character to use for a specific part of the border; see the table below for more
    738    details.  The characters can be specified as integers or as one-character
    739    strings.
    740 
    741    .. note::
    742 
    743       A ``0`` value for any parameter will cause the default character to be used for
    744       that parameter.  Keyword parameters can *not* be used.  The defaults are listed
    745       in this table:
    746 
    747    +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
    748    | Parameter | Description         | Default value         |
    749    +===========+=====================+=======================+
    750    | *ls*      | Left side           | :const:`ACS_VLINE`    |
    751    +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
    752    | *rs*      | Right side          | :const:`ACS_VLINE`    |
    753    +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
    754    | *ts*      | Top                 | :const:`ACS_HLINE`    |
    755    +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
    756    | *bs*      | Bottom              | :const:`ACS_HLINE`    |
    757    +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
    758    | *tl*      | Upper-left corner   | :const:`ACS_ULCORNER` |
    759    +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
    760    | *tr*      | Upper-right corner  | :const:`ACS_URCORNER` |
    761    +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
    762    | *bl*      | Bottom-left corner  | :const:`ACS_LLCORNER` |
    763    +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
    764    | *br*      | Bottom-right corner | :const:`ACS_LRCORNER` |
    765    +-----------+---------------------+-----------------------+
    766 
    767 
    768 .. method:: window.box([vertch, horch])
    769 
    770    Similar to :meth:`border`, but both *ls* and *rs* are *vertch* and both *ts* and
    771    *bs* are *horch*.  The default corner characters are always used by this function.
    772 
    773 
    774 .. method:: window.chgat(attr)
    775             window.chgat(num, attr)
    776             window.chgat(y, x, attr)
    777             window.chgat(y, x, num, attr)
    778 
    779    Set the attributes of *num* characters at the current cursor position, or at
    780    position ``(y, x)`` if supplied. If *num* is not given or is ``-1``,
    781    the attribute will be set on all the characters to the end of the line.  This
    782    function moves cursor to position ``(y, x)`` if supplied. The changed line
    783    will be touched using the :meth:`touchline` method so that the contents will
    784    be redisplayed by the next window refresh.
    785 
    786 
    787 .. method:: window.clear()
    788 
    789    Like :meth:`erase`, but also cause the whole window to be repainted upon next
    790    call to :meth:`refresh`.
    791 
    792 
    793 .. method:: window.clearok(yes)
    794 
    795    If *yes* is 1, the next call to :meth:`refresh` will clear the window
    796    completely.
    797 
    798 
    799 .. method:: window.clrtobot()
    800 
    801    Erase from cursor to the end of the window: all lines below the cursor are
    802    deleted, and then the equivalent of :meth:`clrtoeol` is performed.
    803 
    804 
    805 .. method:: window.clrtoeol()
    806 
    807    Erase from cursor to the end of the line.
    808 
    809 
    810 .. method:: window.cursyncup()
    811 
    812    Update the current cursor position of all the ancestors of the window to
    813    reflect the current cursor position of the window.
    814 
    815 
    816 .. method:: window.delch([y, x])
    817 
    818    Delete any character at ``(y, x)``.
    819 
    820 
    821 .. method:: window.deleteln()
    822 
    823    Delete the line under the cursor. All following lines are moved up by one line.
    824 
    825 
    826 .. method:: window.derwin(begin_y, begin_x)
    827             window.derwin(nlines, ncols, begin_y, begin_x)
    828 
    829    An abbreviation for "derive window", :meth:`derwin` is the same as calling
    830    :meth:`subwin`, except that *begin_y* and *begin_x* are relative to the origin
    831    of the window, rather than relative to the entire screen.  Return a window
    832    object for the derived window.
    833 
    834 
    835 .. method:: window.echochar(ch[, attr])
    836 
    837    Add character *ch* with attribute *attr*, and immediately  call :meth:`refresh`
    838    on the window.
    839 
    840 
    841 .. method:: window.enclose(y, x)
    842 
    843    Test whether the given pair of screen-relative character-cell coordinates are
    844    enclosed by the given window, returning ``True`` or ``False``.  It is useful for
    845    determining what subset of the screen windows enclose the location of a mouse
    846    event.
    847 
    848 
    849 .. method:: window.erase()
    850 
    851    Clear the window.
    852 
    853 
    854 .. method:: window.getbegyx()
    855 
    856    Return a tuple ``(y, x)`` of co-ordinates of upper-left corner.
    857 
    858 
    859 .. method:: window.getbkgd()
    860 
    861    Return the given window's current background character/attribute pair.
    862 
    863 
    864 .. method:: window.getch([y, x])
    865 
    866    Get a character. Note that the integer returned does *not* have to be in ASCII
    867    range: function keys, keypad keys and so on return numbers higher than 256. In
    868    no-delay mode, -1 is returned if there is no input, else :func:`getch` waits
    869    until a key is pressed.
    870 
    871 
    872 .. method:: window.getkey([y, x])
    873 
    874    Get a character, returning a string instead of an integer, as :meth:`getch`
    875    does. Function keys, keypad keys and so on return a multibyte string containing
    876    the key name.  In no-delay mode, an exception is raised if there is no input.
    877 
    878 
    879 .. method:: window.getmaxyx()
    880 
    881    Return a tuple ``(y, x)`` of the height and width of the window.
    882 
    883 
    884 .. method:: window.getparyx()
    885 
    886    Return the beginning coordinates of this window relative to its parent window
    887    into two integer variables y and x.  Return ``-1, -1`` if this window has no
    888    parent.
    889 
    890 
    891 .. method:: window.getstr([y, x])
    892 
    893    Read a string from the user, with primitive line editing capacity.
    894 
    895 
    896 .. method:: window.getyx()
    897 
    898    Return a tuple ``(y, x)`` of current cursor position  relative to the window's
    899    upper-left corner.
    900 
    901 
    902 .. method:: window.hline(ch, n)
    903             window.hline(y, x, ch, n)
    904 
    905    Display a horizontal line starting at ``(y, x)`` with length *n* consisting of
    906    the character *ch*.
    907 
    908 
    909 .. method:: window.idcok(flag)
    910 
    911    If *flag* is ``False``, curses no longer considers using the hardware insert/delete
    912    character feature of the terminal; if *flag* is ``True``, use of character insertion
    913    and deletion is enabled.  When curses is first initialized, use of character
    914    insert/delete is enabled by default.
    915 
    916 
    917 .. method:: window.idlok(yes)
    918 
    919    If called with *yes* equal to 1, :mod:`curses` will try and use hardware line
    920    editing facilities. Otherwise, line insertion/deletion are disabled.
    921 
    922 
    923 .. method:: window.immedok(flag)
    924 
    925    If *flag* is ``True``, any change in the window image automatically causes the
    926    window to be refreshed; you no longer have to call :meth:`refresh` yourself.
    927    However, it may degrade performance considerably, due to repeated calls to
    928    wrefresh.  This option is disabled by default.
    929 
    930 
    931 .. method:: window.inch([y, x])
    932 
    933    Return the character at the given position in the window. The bottom 8 bits are
    934    the character proper, and upper bits are the attributes.
    935 
    936 
    937 .. method:: window.insch(ch[, attr])
    938             window.insch(y, x, ch[, attr])
    939 
    940    Paint character *ch* at ``(y, x)`` with attributes *attr*, moving the line from
    941    position *x* right by one character.
    942 
    943 
    944 .. method:: window.insdelln(nlines)
    945 
    946    Insert *nlines* lines into the specified window above the current line.  The
    947    *nlines* bottom lines are lost.  For negative *nlines*, delete *nlines* lines
    948    starting with the one under the cursor, and move the remaining lines up.  The
    949    bottom *nlines* lines are cleared.  The current cursor position remains the
    950    same.
    951 
    952 
    953 .. method:: window.insertln()
    954 
    955    Insert a blank line under the cursor. All following lines are moved down by one
    956    line.
    957 
    958 
    959 .. method:: window.insnstr(str, n[, attr])
    960             window.insnstr(y, x, str, n[, attr])
    961 
    962    Insert a character string (as many characters as will fit on the line) before
    963    the character under the cursor, up to *n* characters.   If *n* is zero or
    964    negative, the entire string is inserted. All characters to the right of the
    965    cursor are shifted right, with the rightmost characters on the line being lost.
    966    The cursor position does not change (after moving to *y*, *x*, if specified).
    967 
    968 
    969 .. method:: window.insstr(str[, attr])
    970             window.insstr(y, x, str[, attr])
    971 
    972    Insert a character string (as many characters as will fit on the line) before
    973    the character under the cursor.  All characters to the right of the cursor are
    974    shifted right, with the rightmost characters on the line being lost.  The cursor
    975    position does not change (after moving to *y*, *x*, if specified).
    976 
    977 
    978 .. method:: window.instr([n])
    979             window.instr(y, x[, n])
    980 
    981    Return a string of characters, extracted from the window starting at the
    982    current cursor position, or at *y*, *x* if specified. Attributes are stripped
    983    from the characters.  If *n* is specified, :meth:`instr` returns a string
    984    at most *n* characters long (exclusive of the trailing NUL).
    985 
    986 
    987 .. method:: window.is_linetouched(line)
    988 
    989    Return ``True`` if the specified line was modified since the last call to
    990    :meth:`refresh`; otherwise return ``False``.  Raise a :exc:`curses.error`
    991    exception if *line* is not valid for the given window.
    992 
    993 
    994 .. method:: window.is_wintouched()
    995 
    996    Return ``True`` if the specified window was modified since the last call to
    997    :meth:`refresh`; otherwise return ``False``.
    998 
    999 
   1000 .. method:: window.keypad(yes)
   1001 
   1002    If *yes* is 1, escape sequences generated by some keys (keypad,  function keys)
   1003    will be interpreted by :mod:`curses`. If *yes* is 0, escape sequences will be
   1004    left as is in the input stream.
   1005 
   1006 
   1007 .. method:: window.leaveok(yes)
   1008 
   1009    If *yes* is 1, cursor is left where it is on update, instead of being at "cursor
   1010    position."  This reduces cursor movement where possible. If possible the cursor
   1011    will be made invisible.
   1012 
   1013    If *yes* is 0, cursor will always be at "cursor position" after an update.
   1014 
   1015 
   1016 .. method:: window.move(new_y, new_x)
   1017 
   1018    Move cursor to ``(new_y, new_x)``.
   1019 
   1020 
   1021 .. method:: window.mvderwin(y, x)
   1022 
   1023    Move the window inside its parent window.  The screen-relative parameters of
   1024    the window are not changed.  This routine is used to display different parts of
   1025    the parent window at the same physical position on the screen.
   1026 
   1027 
   1028 .. method:: window.mvwin(new_y, new_x)
   1029 
   1030    Move the window so its upper-left corner is at ``(new_y, new_x)``.
   1031 
   1032 
   1033 .. method:: window.nodelay(yes)
   1034 
   1035    If *yes* is ``1``, :meth:`getch` will be non-blocking.
   1036 
   1037 
   1038 .. method:: window.notimeout(yes)
   1039 
   1040    If *yes* is ``1``, escape sequences will not be timed out.
   1041 
   1042    If *yes* is ``0``, after a few milliseconds, an escape sequence will not be
   1043    interpreted, and will be left in the input stream as is.
   1044 
   1045 
   1046 .. method:: window.noutrefresh()
   1047 
   1048    Mark for refresh but wait.  This function updates the data structure
   1049    representing the desired state of the window, but does not force an update of
   1050    the physical screen.  To accomplish that, call  :func:`doupdate`.
   1051 
   1052 
   1053 .. method:: window.overlay(destwin[, sminrow, smincol, dminrow, dmincol, dmaxrow, dmaxcol])
   1054 
   1055    Overlay the window on top of *destwin*. The windows need not be the same size,
   1056    only the overlapping region is copied. This copy is non-destructive, which means
   1057    that the current background character does not overwrite the old contents of
   1058    *destwin*.
   1059 
   1060    To get fine-grained control over the copied region, the second form of
   1061    :meth:`overlay` can be used. *sminrow* and *smincol* are the upper-left
   1062    coordinates of the source window, and the other variables mark a rectangle in
   1063    the destination window.
   1064 
   1065 
   1066 .. method:: window.overwrite(destwin[, sminrow, smincol, dminrow, dmincol, dmaxrow, dmaxcol])
   1067 
   1068    Overwrite the window on top of *destwin*. The windows need not be the same size,
   1069    in which case only the overlapping region is copied. This copy is destructive,
   1070    which means that the current background character overwrites the old contents of
   1071    *destwin*.
   1072 
   1073    To get fine-grained control over the copied region, the second form of
   1074    :meth:`overwrite` can be used. *sminrow* and *smincol* are the upper-left
   1075    coordinates of the source window, the other variables mark a rectangle in the
   1076    destination window.
   1077 
   1078 
   1079 .. method:: window.putwin(file)
   1080 
   1081    Write all data associated with the window into the provided file object.  This
   1082    information can be later retrieved using the :func:`getwin` function.
   1083 
   1084 
   1085 .. method:: window.redrawln(beg, num)
   1086 
   1087    Indicate that the *num* screen lines, starting at line *beg*, are corrupted and
   1088    should be completely redrawn on the next :meth:`refresh` call.
   1089 
   1090 
   1091 .. method:: window.redrawwin()
   1092 
   1093    Touch the entire window, causing it to be completely redrawn on the next
   1094    :meth:`refresh` call.
   1095 
   1096 
   1097 .. method:: window.refresh([pminrow, pmincol, sminrow, smincol, smaxrow, smaxcol])
   1098 
   1099    Update the display immediately (sync actual screen with previous
   1100    drawing/deleting methods).
   1101 
   1102    The 6 optional arguments can only be specified when the window is a pad created
   1103    with :func:`newpad`.  The additional parameters are needed to indicate what part
   1104    of the pad and screen are involved. *pminrow* and *pmincol* specify the upper
   1105    left-hand corner of the rectangle to be displayed in the pad.  *sminrow*,
   1106    *smincol*, *smaxrow*, and *smaxcol* specify the edges of the rectangle to be
   1107    displayed on the screen.  The lower right-hand corner of the rectangle to be
   1108    displayed in the pad is calculated from the screen coordinates, since the
   1109    rectangles must be the same size.  Both rectangles must be entirely contained
   1110    within their respective structures.  Negative values of *pminrow*, *pmincol*,
   1111    *sminrow*, or *smincol* are treated as if they were zero.
   1112 
   1113 
   1114 .. method:: window.resize(nlines, ncols)
   1115 
   1116    Reallocate storage for a curses window to adjust its dimensions to the
   1117    specified values.  If either dimension is larger than the current values, the
   1118    window's data is filled with blanks that have the current background
   1119    rendition (as set by :meth:`bkgdset`) merged into them.
   1120 
   1121 
   1122 .. method:: window.scroll([lines=1])
   1123 
   1124    Scroll the screen or scrolling region upward by *lines* lines.
   1125 
   1126 
   1127 .. method:: window.scrollok(flag)
   1128 
   1129    Control what happens when the cursor of a window is moved off the edge of the
   1130    window or scrolling region, either as a result of a newline action on the bottom
   1131    line, or typing the last character of the last line.  If *flag* is false, the
   1132    cursor is left on the bottom line.  If *flag* is true, the window is scrolled up
   1133    one line.  Note that in order to get the physical scrolling effect on the
   1134    terminal, it is also necessary to call :meth:`idlok`.
   1135 
   1136 
   1137 .. method:: window.setscrreg(top, bottom)
   1138 
   1139    Set the scrolling region from line *top* to line *bottom*. All scrolling actions
   1140    will take place in this region.
   1141 
   1142 
   1143 .. method:: window.standend()
   1144 
   1145    Turn off the standout attribute.  On some terminals this has the side effect of
   1146    turning off all attributes.
   1147 
   1148 
   1149 .. method:: window.standout()
   1150 
   1151    Turn on attribute *A_STANDOUT*.
   1152 
   1153 
   1154 .. method:: window.subpad(begin_y, begin_x)
   1155             window.subpad(nlines, ncols, begin_y, begin_x)
   1156 
   1157    Return a sub-window, whose upper-left corner is at ``(begin_y, begin_x)``, and
   1158    whose width/height is *ncols*/*nlines*.
   1159 
   1160 
   1161 .. method:: window.subwin(begin_y, begin_x)
   1162             window.subwin(nlines, ncols, begin_y, begin_x)
   1163 
   1164    Return a sub-window, whose upper-left corner is at ``(begin_y, begin_x)``, and
   1165    whose width/height is *ncols*/*nlines*.
   1166 
   1167    By default, the sub-window will extend from the specified position to the lower
   1168    right corner of the window.
   1169 
   1170 
   1171 .. method:: window.syncdown()
   1172 
   1173    Touch each location in the window that has been touched in any of its ancestor
   1174    windows.  This routine is called by :meth:`refresh`, so it should almost never
   1175    be necessary to call it manually.
   1176 
   1177 
   1178 .. method:: window.syncok(flag)
   1179 
   1180    If called with *flag* set to ``True``, then :meth:`syncup` is called automatically
   1181    whenever there is a change in the window.
   1182 
   1183 
   1184 .. method:: window.syncup()
   1185 
   1186    Touch all locations in ancestors of the window that have been changed in  the
   1187    window.
   1188 
   1189 
   1190 .. method:: window.timeout(delay)
   1191 
   1192    Set blocking or non-blocking read behavior for the window.  If *delay* is
   1193    negative, blocking read is used (which will wait indefinitely for input).  If
   1194    *delay* is zero, then non-blocking read is used, and -1 will be returned by
   1195    :meth:`getch` if no input is waiting.  If *delay* is positive, then
   1196    :meth:`getch` will block for *delay* milliseconds, and return -1 if there is
   1197    still no input at the end of that time.
   1198 
   1199 
   1200 .. method:: window.touchline(start, count[, changed])
   1201 
   1202    Pretend *count* lines have been changed, starting with line *start*.  If
   1203    *changed* is supplied, it specifies whether the affected lines are marked as
   1204    having been changed (*changed*\ =1) or unchanged (*changed*\ =0).
   1205 
   1206 
   1207 .. method:: window.touchwin()
   1208 
   1209    Pretend the whole window has been changed, for purposes of drawing
   1210    optimizations.
   1211 
   1212 
   1213 .. method:: window.untouchwin()
   1214 
   1215    Mark all lines in  the  window  as unchanged since the last call to
   1216    :meth:`refresh`.
   1217 
   1218 
   1219 .. method:: window.vline(ch, n)
   1220             window.vline(y, x, ch, n)
   1221 
   1222    Display a vertical line starting at ``(y, x)`` with length *n* consisting of the
   1223    character *ch*.
   1224 
   1225 
   1226 Constants
   1227 ---------
   1228 
   1229 The :mod:`curses` module defines the following data members:
   1230 
   1231 
   1232 .. data:: ERR
   1233 
   1234    Some curses routines  that  return  an integer, such as  :func:`getch`, return
   1235    :const:`ERR` upon failure.
   1236 
   1237 
   1238 .. data:: OK
   1239 
   1240    Some curses routines  that  return  an integer, such as  :func:`napms`, return
   1241    :const:`OK` upon success.
   1242 
   1243 
   1244 .. data:: version
   1245 
   1246    A string representing the current version of the module.  Also available as
   1247    :const:`__version__`.
   1248 
   1249 Some constants are available to specify character cell attributes.
   1250 The exact constants available are system dependent.
   1251 
   1252 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1253 | Attribute        | Meaning                       |
   1254 +==================+===============================+
   1255 | ``A_ALTCHARSET`` | Alternate character set mode  |
   1256 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1257 | ``A_BLINK``      | Blink mode                    |
   1258 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1259 | ``A_BOLD``       | Bold mode                     |
   1260 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1261 | ``A_DIM``        | Dim mode                      |
   1262 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1263 | ``A_INVIS``      | Invisible or blank mode       |
   1264 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1265 | ``A_NORMAL``     | Normal attribute              |
   1266 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1267 | ``A_PROTECT``    | Protected mode                |
   1268 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1269 | ``A_REVERSE``    | Reverse background and        |
   1270 |                  | foreground colors             |
   1271 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1272 | ``A_STANDOUT``   | Standout mode                 |
   1273 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1274 | ``A_UNDERLINE``  | Underline mode                |
   1275 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1276 | ``A_HORIZONTAL`` | Horizontal highlight          |
   1277 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1278 | ``A_LEFT``       | Left highlight                |
   1279 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1280 | ``A_LOW``        | Low highlight                 |
   1281 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1282 | ``A_RIGHT``      | Right highlight               |
   1283 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1284 | ``A_TOP``        | Top highlight                 |
   1285 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1286 | ``A_VERTICAL``   | Vertical highlight            |
   1287 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1288 | ``A_CHARTEXT``   | Bit-mask to extract a         |
   1289 |                  | character                     |
   1290 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1291 
   1292 Several constants are available to extract corresponding attributes returned
   1293 by some methods.
   1294 
   1295 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1296 | Bit-mask         | Meaning                       |
   1297 +==================+===============================+
   1298 | ``A_ATTRIBUTES`` | Bit-mask to extract           |
   1299 |                  | attributes                    |
   1300 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1301 | ``A_CHARTEXT``   | Bit-mask to extract a         |
   1302 |                  | character                     |
   1303 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1304 | ``A_COLOR``      | Bit-mask to extract           |
   1305 |                  | color-pair field information  |
   1306 +------------------+-------------------------------+
   1307 
   1308 Keys are referred to by integer constants with names starting with  ``KEY_``.
   1309 The exact keycaps available are system dependent.
   1310 
   1311 .. XXX this table is far too large! should it be alphabetized?
   1312 
   1313 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1314 | Key constant      | Key                                        |
   1315 +===================+============================================+
   1316 | ``KEY_MIN``       | Minimum key value                          |
   1317 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1318 | ``KEY_BREAK``     | Break key (unreliable)                     |
   1319 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1320 | ``KEY_DOWN``      | Down-arrow                                 |
   1321 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1322 | ``KEY_UP``        | Up-arrow                                   |
   1323 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1324 | ``KEY_LEFT``      | Left-arrow                                 |
   1325 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1326 | ``KEY_RIGHT``     | Right-arrow                                |
   1327 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1328 | ``KEY_HOME``      | Home key (upward+left arrow)               |
   1329 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1330 | ``KEY_BACKSPACE`` | Backspace (unreliable)                     |
   1331 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1332 | ``KEY_F0``        | Function keys.  Up to 64 function keys are |
   1333 |                   | supported.                                 |
   1334 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1335 | ``KEY_Fn``        | Value of function key *n*                  |
   1336 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1337 | ``KEY_DL``        | Delete line                                |
   1338 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1339 | ``KEY_IL``        | Insert line                                |
   1340 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1341 | ``KEY_DC``        | Delete character                           |
   1342 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1343 | ``KEY_IC``        | Insert char or enter insert mode           |
   1344 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1345 | ``KEY_EIC``       | Exit insert char mode                      |
   1346 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1347 | ``KEY_CLEAR``     | Clear screen                               |
   1348 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1349 | ``KEY_EOS``       | Clear to end of screen                     |
   1350 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1351 | ``KEY_EOL``       | Clear to end of line                       |
   1352 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1353 | ``KEY_SF``        | Scroll 1 line forward                      |
   1354 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1355 | ``KEY_SR``        | Scroll 1 line backward (reverse)           |
   1356 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1357 | ``KEY_NPAGE``     | Next page                                  |
   1358 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1359 | ``KEY_PPAGE``     | Previous page                              |
   1360 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1361 | ``KEY_STAB``      | Set tab                                    |
   1362 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1363 | ``KEY_CTAB``      | Clear tab                                  |
   1364 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1365 | ``KEY_CATAB``     | Clear all tabs                             |
   1366 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1367 | ``KEY_ENTER``     | Enter or send (unreliable)                 |
   1368 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1369 | ``KEY_SRESET``    | Soft (partial) reset (unreliable)          |
   1370 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1371 | ``KEY_RESET``     | Reset or hard reset (unreliable)           |
   1372 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1373 | ``KEY_PRINT``     | Print                                      |
   1374 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1375 | ``KEY_LL``        | Home down or bottom (lower left)           |
   1376 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1377 | ``KEY_A1``        | Upper left of keypad                       |
   1378 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1379 | ``KEY_A3``        | Upper right of keypad                      |
   1380 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1381 | ``KEY_B2``        | Center of keypad                           |
   1382 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1383 | ``KEY_C1``        | Lower left of keypad                       |
   1384 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1385 | ``KEY_C3``        | Lower right of keypad                      |
   1386 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1387 | ``KEY_BTAB``      | Back tab                                   |
   1388 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1389 | ``KEY_BEG``       | Beg (beginning)                            |
   1390 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1391 | ``KEY_CANCEL``    | Cancel                                     |
   1392 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1393 | ``KEY_CLOSE``     | Close                                      |
   1394 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1395 | ``KEY_COMMAND``   | Cmd (command)                              |
   1396 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1397 | ``KEY_COPY``      | Copy                                       |
   1398 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1399 | ``KEY_CREATE``    | Create                                     |
   1400 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1401 | ``KEY_END``       | End                                        |
   1402 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1403 | ``KEY_EXIT``      | Exit                                       |
   1404 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1405 | ``KEY_FIND``      | Find                                       |
   1406 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1407 | ``KEY_HELP``      | Help                                       |
   1408 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1409 | ``KEY_MARK``      | Mark                                       |
   1410 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1411 | ``KEY_MESSAGE``   | Message                                    |
   1412 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1413 | ``KEY_MOVE``      | Move                                       |
   1414 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1415 | ``KEY_NEXT``      | Next                                       |
   1416 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1417 | ``KEY_OPEN``      | Open                                       |
   1418 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1419 | ``KEY_OPTIONS``   | Options                                    |
   1420 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1421 | ``KEY_PREVIOUS``  | Prev (previous)                            |
   1422 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1423 | ``KEY_REDO``      | Redo                                       |
   1424 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1425 | ``KEY_REFERENCE`` | Ref (reference)                            |
   1426 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1427 | ``KEY_REFRESH``   | Refresh                                    |
   1428 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1429 | ``KEY_REPLACE``   | Replace                                    |
   1430 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1431 | ``KEY_RESTART``   | Restart                                    |
   1432 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1433 | ``KEY_RESUME``    | Resume                                     |
   1434 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1435 | ``KEY_SAVE``      | Save                                       |
   1436 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1437 | ``KEY_SBEG``      | Shifted Beg (beginning)                    |
   1438 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1439 | ``KEY_SCANCEL``   | Shifted Cancel                             |
   1440 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1441 | ``KEY_SCOMMAND``  | Shifted Command                            |
   1442 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1443 | ``KEY_SCOPY``     | Shifted Copy                               |
   1444 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1445 | ``KEY_SCREATE``   | Shifted Create                             |
   1446 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1447 | ``KEY_SDC``       | Shifted Delete char                        |
   1448 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1449 | ``KEY_SDL``       | Shifted Delete line                        |
   1450 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1451 | ``KEY_SELECT``    | Select                                     |
   1452 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1453 | ``KEY_SEND``      | Shifted End                                |
   1454 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1455 | ``KEY_SEOL``      | Shifted Clear line                         |
   1456 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1457 | ``KEY_SEXIT``     | Shifted Exit                               |
   1458 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1459 | ``KEY_SFIND``     | Shifted Find                               |
   1460 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1461 | ``KEY_SHELP``     | Shifted Help                               |
   1462 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1463 | ``KEY_SHOME``     | Shifted Home                               |
   1464 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1465 | ``KEY_SIC``       | Shifted Input                              |
   1466 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1467 | ``KEY_SLEFT``     | Shifted Left arrow                         |
   1468 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1469 | ``KEY_SMESSAGE``  | Shifted Message                            |
   1470 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1471 | ``KEY_SMOVE``     | Shifted Move                               |
   1472 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1473 | ``KEY_SNEXT``     | Shifted Next                               |
   1474 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1475 | ``KEY_SOPTIONS``  | Shifted Options                            |
   1476 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1477 | ``KEY_SPREVIOUS`` | Shifted Prev                               |
   1478 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1479 | ``KEY_SPRINT``    | Shifted Print                              |
   1480 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1481 | ``KEY_SREDO``     | Shifted Redo                               |
   1482 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1483 | ``KEY_SREPLACE``  | Shifted Replace                            |
   1484 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1485 | ``KEY_SRIGHT``    | Shifted Right arrow                        |
   1486 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1487 | ``KEY_SRSUME``    | Shifted Resume                             |
   1488 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1489 | ``KEY_SSAVE``     | Shifted Save                               |
   1490 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1491 | ``KEY_SSUSPEND``  | Shifted Suspend                            |
   1492 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1493 | ``KEY_SUNDO``     | Shifted Undo                               |
   1494 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1495 | ``KEY_SUSPEND``   | Suspend                                    |
   1496 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1497 | ``KEY_UNDO``      | Undo                                       |
   1498 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1499 | ``KEY_MOUSE``     | Mouse event has occurred                   |
   1500 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1501 | ``KEY_RESIZE``    | Terminal resize event                      |
   1502 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1503 | ``KEY_MAX``       | Maximum key value                          |
   1504 +-------------------+--------------------------------------------+
   1505 
   1506 On VT100s and their software emulations, such as X terminal emulators, there are
   1507 normally at least four function keys (:const:`KEY_F1`, :const:`KEY_F2`,
   1508 :const:`KEY_F3`, :const:`KEY_F4`) available, and the arrow keys mapped to
   1509 :const:`KEY_UP`, :const:`KEY_DOWN`, :const:`KEY_LEFT` and :const:`KEY_RIGHT` in
   1510 the obvious way.  If your machine has a PC keyboard, it is safe to expect arrow
   1511 keys and twelve function keys (older PC keyboards may have only ten function
   1512 keys); also, the following keypad mappings are standard:
   1513 
   1514 +------------------+-----------+
   1515 | Keycap           | Constant  |
   1516 +==================+===========+
   1517 | :kbd:`Insert`    | KEY_IC    |
   1518 +------------------+-----------+
   1519 | :kbd:`Delete`    | KEY_DC    |
   1520 +------------------+-----------+
   1521 | :kbd:`Home`      | KEY_HOME  |
   1522 +------------------+-----------+
   1523 | :kbd:`End`       | KEY_END   |
   1524 +------------------+-----------+
   1525 | :kbd:`Page Up`   | KEY_PPAGE |
   1526 +------------------+-----------+
   1527 | :kbd:`Page Down` | KEY_NPAGE |
   1528 +------------------+-----------+
   1529 
   1530 The following table lists characters from the alternate character set. These are
   1531 inherited from the VT100 terminal, and will generally be  available on software
   1532 emulations such as X terminals.  When there is no graphic available, curses
   1533 falls back on a crude printable ASCII approximation.
   1534 
   1535 .. note::
   1536 
   1537    These are available only after :func:`initscr` has  been called.
   1538 
   1539 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1540 | ACS code         | Meaning                                  |
   1541 +==================+==========================================+
   1542 | ``ACS_BBSS``     | alternate name for upper right corner    |
   1543 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1544 | ``ACS_BLOCK``    | solid square block                       |
   1545 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1546 | ``ACS_BOARD``    | board of squares                         |
   1547 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1548 | ``ACS_BSBS``     | alternate name for horizontal line       |
   1549 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1550 | ``ACS_BSSB``     | alternate name for upper left corner     |
   1551 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1552 | ``ACS_BSSS``     | alternate name for top tee               |
   1553 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1554 | ``ACS_BTEE``     | bottom tee                               |
   1555 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1556 | ``ACS_BULLET``   | bullet                                   |
   1557 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1558 | ``ACS_CKBOARD``  | checker board (stipple)                  |
   1559 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1560 | ``ACS_DARROW``   | arrow pointing down                      |
   1561 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1562 | ``ACS_DEGREE``   | degree symbol                            |
   1563 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1564 | ``ACS_DIAMOND``  | diamond                                  |
   1565 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1566 | ``ACS_GEQUAL``   | greater-than-or-equal-to                 |
   1567 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1568 | ``ACS_HLINE``    | horizontal line                          |
   1569 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1570 | ``ACS_LANTERN``  | lantern symbol                           |
   1571 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1572 | ``ACS_LARROW``   | left arrow                               |
   1573 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1574 | ``ACS_LEQUAL``   | less-than-or-equal-to                    |
   1575 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1576 | ``ACS_LLCORNER`` | lower left-hand corner                   |
   1577 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1578 | ``ACS_LRCORNER`` | lower right-hand corner                  |
   1579 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1580 | ``ACS_LTEE``     | left tee                                 |
   1581 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1582 | ``ACS_NEQUAL``   | not-equal sign                           |
   1583 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1584 | ``ACS_PI``       | letter pi                                |
   1585 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1586 | ``ACS_PLMINUS``  | plus-or-minus sign                       |
   1587 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1588 | ``ACS_PLUS``     | big plus sign                            |
   1589 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1590 | ``ACS_RARROW``   | right arrow                              |
   1591 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1592 | ``ACS_RTEE``     | right tee                                |
   1593 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1594 | ``ACS_S1``       | scan line 1                              |
   1595 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1596 | ``ACS_S3``       | scan line 3                              |
   1597 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1598 | ``ACS_S7``       | scan line 7                              |
   1599 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1600 | ``ACS_S9``       | scan line 9                              |
   1601 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1602 | ``ACS_SBBS``     | alternate name for lower right corner    |
   1603 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1604 | ``ACS_SBSB``     | alternate name for vertical line         |
   1605 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1606 | ``ACS_SBSS``     | alternate name for right tee             |
   1607 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1608 | ``ACS_SSBB``     | alternate name for lower left corner     |
   1609 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1610 | ``ACS_SSBS``     | alternate name for bottom tee            |
   1611 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1612 | ``ACS_SSSB``     | alternate name for left tee              |
   1613 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1614 | ``ACS_SSSS``     | alternate name for crossover or big plus |
   1615 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1616 | ``ACS_STERLING`` | pound sterling                           |
   1617 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1618 | ``ACS_TTEE``     | top tee                                  |
   1619 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1620 | ``ACS_UARROW``   | up arrow                                 |
   1621 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1622 | ``ACS_ULCORNER`` | upper left corner                        |
   1623 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1624 | ``ACS_URCORNER`` | upper right corner                       |
   1625 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1626 | ``ACS_VLINE``    | vertical line                            |
   1627 +------------------+------------------------------------------+
   1628 
   1629 The following table lists the predefined colors:
   1630 
   1631 +-------------------+----------------------------+
   1632 | Constant          | Color                      |
   1633 +===================+============================+
   1634 | ``COLOR_BLACK``   | Black                      |
   1635 +-------------------+----------------------------+
   1636 | ``COLOR_BLUE``    | Blue                       |
   1637 +-------------------+----------------------------+
   1638 | ``COLOR_CYAN``    | Cyan (light greenish blue) |
   1639 +-------------------+----------------------------+
   1640 | ``COLOR_GREEN``   | Green                      |
   1641 +-------------------+----------------------------+
   1642 | ``COLOR_MAGENTA`` | Magenta (purplish red)     |
   1643 +-------------------+----------------------------+
   1644 | ``COLOR_RED``     | Red                        |
   1645 +-------------------+----------------------------+
   1646 | ``COLOR_WHITE``   | White                      |
   1647 +-------------------+----------------------------+
   1648 | ``COLOR_YELLOW``  | Yellow                     |
   1649 +-------------------+----------------------------+
   1650 
   1651 
   1652 :mod:`curses.textpad` --- Text input widget for curses programs
   1653 ===============================================================
   1654 
   1655 .. module:: curses.textpad
   1656    :synopsis: Emacs-like input editing in a curses window.
   1657 .. moduleauthor:: Eric Raymond <esr (a] thyrsus.com>
   1658 .. sectionauthor:: Eric Raymond <esr (a] thyrsus.com>
   1659 
   1660 
   1661 .. versionadded:: 1.6
   1662 
   1663 The :mod:`curses.textpad` module provides a :class:`Textbox` class that handles
   1664 elementary text editing in a curses window, supporting a set of keybindings
   1665 resembling those of Emacs (thus, also of Netscape Navigator, BBedit 6.x,
   1666 FrameMaker, and many other programs).  The module also provides a
   1667 rectangle-drawing function useful for framing text boxes or for other purposes.
   1668 
   1669 The module :mod:`curses.textpad` defines the following function:
   1670 
   1671 
   1672 .. function:: rectangle(win, uly, ulx, lry, lrx)
   1673 
   1674    Draw a rectangle.  The first argument must be a window object; the remaining
   1675    arguments are coordinates relative to that window.  The second and third
   1676    arguments are the y and x coordinates of the upper left hand corner of the
   1677    rectangle to be drawn; the fourth and fifth arguments are the y and x
   1678    coordinates of the lower right hand corner. The rectangle will be drawn using
   1679    VT100/IBM PC forms characters on terminals that make this possible (including
   1680    xterm and most other software terminal emulators).  Otherwise it will be drawn
   1681    with ASCII  dashes, vertical bars, and plus signs.
   1682 
   1683 
   1684 .. _curses-textpad-objects:
   1685 
   1686 Textbox objects
   1687 ---------------
   1688 
   1689 You can instantiate a :class:`Textbox` object as follows:
   1690 
   1691 
   1692 .. class:: Textbox(win)
   1693 
   1694    Return a textbox widget object.  The *win* argument should be a curses
   1695    :class:`WindowObject` in which the textbox is to be contained. The edit cursor
   1696    of the textbox is initially located at the upper left hand corner of the
   1697    containing window, with coordinates ``(0, 0)``. The instance's
   1698    :attr:`stripspaces` flag is initially on.
   1699 
   1700    :class:`Textbox` objects have the following methods:
   1701 
   1702 
   1703    .. method:: edit([validator])
   1704 
   1705       This is the entry point you will normally use.  It accepts editing
   1706       keystrokes until one of the termination keystrokes is entered.  If
   1707       *validator* is supplied, it must be a function.  It will be called for
   1708       each keystroke entered with the keystroke as a parameter; command dispatch
   1709       is done on the result. This method returns the window contents as a
   1710       string; whether blanks in the window are included is affected by the
   1711       :attr:`stripspaces` attribute.
   1712 
   1713 
   1714    .. method:: do_command(ch)
   1715 
   1716       Process a single command keystroke.  Here are the supported special
   1717       keystrokes:
   1718 
   1719       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1720       | Keystroke        | Action                                    |
   1721       +==================+===========================================+
   1722       | :kbd:`Control-A` | Go to left edge of window.                |
   1723       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1724       | :kbd:`Control-B` | Cursor left, wrapping to previous line if |
   1725       |                  | appropriate.                              |
   1726       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1727       | :kbd:`Control-D` | Delete character under cursor.            |
   1728       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1729       | :kbd:`Control-E` | Go to right edge (stripspaces off) or end |
   1730       |                  | of line (stripspaces on).                 |
   1731       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1732       | :kbd:`Control-F` | Cursor right, wrapping to next line when  |
   1733       |                  | appropriate.                              |
   1734       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1735       | :kbd:`Control-G` | Terminate, returning the window contents. |
   1736       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1737       | :kbd:`Control-H` | Delete character backward.                |
   1738       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1739       | :kbd:`Control-J` | Terminate if the window is 1 line,        |
   1740       |                  | otherwise insert newline.                 |
   1741       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1742       | :kbd:`Control-K` | If line is blank, delete it, otherwise    |
   1743       |                  | clear to end of line.                     |
   1744       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1745       | :kbd:`Control-L` | Refresh screen.                           |
   1746       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1747       | :kbd:`Control-N` | Cursor down; move down one line.          |
   1748       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1749       | :kbd:`Control-O` | Insert a blank line at cursor location.   |
   1750       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1751       | :kbd:`Control-P` | Cursor up; move up one line.              |
   1752       +------------------+-------------------------------------------+
   1753 
   1754       Move operations do nothing if the cursor is at an edge where the movement
   1755       is not possible.  The following synonyms are supported where possible:
   1756 
   1757       +------------------------+------------------+
   1758       | Constant               | Keystroke        |
   1759       +========================+==================+
   1760       | :const:`KEY_LEFT`      | :kbd:`Control-B` |
   1761       +------------------------+------------------+
   1762       | :const:`KEY_RIGHT`     | :kbd:`Control-F` |
   1763       +------------------------+------------------+
   1764       | :const:`KEY_UP`        | :kbd:`Control-P` |
   1765       +------------------------+------------------+
   1766       | :const:`KEY_DOWN`      | :kbd:`Control-N` |
   1767       +------------------------+------------------+
   1768       | :const:`KEY_BACKSPACE` | :kbd:`Control-h` |
   1769       +------------------------+------------------+
   1770 
   1771       All other keystrokes are treated as a command to insert the given
   1772       character and move right (with line wrapping).
   1773 
   1774 
   1775    .. method:: gather()
   1776 
   1777       Return the window contents as a string; whether blanks in the
   1778       window are included is affected by the :attr:`stripspaces` member.
   1779 
   1780 
   1781    .. attribute:: stripspaces
   1782 
   1783       This attribute is a flag which controls the interpretation of blanks in
   1784       the window.  When it is on, trailing blanks on each line are ignored; any
   1785       cursor motion that would land the cursor on a trailing blank goes to the
   1786       end of that line instead, and trailing blanks are stripped when the window
   1787       contents are gathered.
   1788 
   1789