Configuration Guide

Chapter 5. Character Mode Settings

A number of behavior variables are only applicable to running Panther in character-mode. These variables include those that are used to control label text display and display of the active screen.

For more information about behavior variables in general, refer to Chapter 5, "Character Mode Settings."

For information about setting display characteristics for a given character-mode terminal type, refer to Chapter 7, "Video File."

Label Text Display

Two types of variables control the display attributes of label text in character-mode applications:

Variables that set display of label mnemonics: AC_KEEPATTRS, AC_SETATTRS, and AC_SWATTRS. These variables only affect widgets that have Label properties—for example, dynamic labels and push buttons.
Variables that grey-out text in inactive widgets—that is, widgets that cannot get focus: FE_KEEPATTRS, FE_SETATTRS, and FE_SWATTRS. These variables only affect menu items and widgets that have Label properties, such as dynamic labels and push buttons.

AC_KEEPATTRS: Specifies those attributes to retain (AND) for keyboard mnemonic characters that are emphasized. The default includes all attributes currently assigned. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.
AC_SETATTRS: Sets display attributes to emphasize keyboard mnemonic characters. The default is none. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.
AC_SWATTRS: Sets display attributes that are switched for keyboard mnemonic characters. The default is HILIGHT WHITE for menu items HILIGHT CYAN. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of valid keywords.
FE_KEEPATTRS: Specifies those attributes to retain (AND) for the label text of inactive items. The default includes all attributes currently assigned. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.
FE_SETATTRS: Sets display attributes for label text. of inactive items The default setting is none. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.
FE_SWATTRS: Sets display attributes that are toggled when graying is turned on and off. The default setting is HILIGHT. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.

Screen Attributes

The EMPHASIS variable determines the style of emphasis used to indicate the current, or active, screen. The options are drop shadows, graying, or border highlights. Drop shadows appear to cast a shadow from the active screen over underlying screens. Graying changes the display attributes of all screens except the active one: highlights turn off and colors change to monochrome by default. You can set graying attributes with video file entries EMPHASIS_KEEPATT and EMPHASIS_SETATT. Border highlighting turns on the highlight characteristic for the active screen border. An application that runs in character-mode can use any one style, or drop shadows and graying can be used together.

EMPHASIS

Specifies emphasis style:

DROPSHADOW: Draws a shadow at the screen's uppermost right and bottom edges. The shadow is two columns wide and one line deep. The right shadow starts one space below the screen's upper edge, while the bottom shadow starts two columns from the screen's left edge. The bottom shadow is indented two spaces from the left edge of the screen. The shadow is formed by graying the underlying text.
GRAYBKGD: Grays background screens. Only the active screen retains its original display attributes.
HIBORDER: Highlights the border of the active screen.
NONE: Disables display emphasis. (D)

Menus

These variables control the way menus appear and behave in character-mode applications. You can change these variables at runtime with sm_option.

MB_KEEPATTRS

Specifies the attributes to be retained (Handed) for keyboard mnemonic characters that are emphasized. The default includes all attributes currently assigned. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.

MB_SETATTRS

Specifies display attributes to emphasize keyboard mnemonic characters. The default is none. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.

MB_SWATTRS

Specifies display attributes that are switched for keyboard mnemonic characters. The default is HILIGHT WHITE for menu items HILIGHT CYAN. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of valid keywords.

MB_BORDSTYLE

Specifies border style:

NOBORDER: No border.
style number: A number between 0 and 9 indicates a style. Default is 1.

MB_BORDATT

Specifies border display attributes for menu bars. The default is MB_BORDATT = B_WHITE BLACK. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.

MB_DISPATT

Set display attributes for text in menu bars. The default is MB_DISPATT = B_WHITE BLACK. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.

MB_FLDATT

Set display attributes for unselected menu bar options. The default is MB_FLDATT = B_WHITE BLACK. Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.

MB_HBUTDIST

Set the distance between menu items on a horizontal menu. Default is 2 columns.

MB_LINES_PROT

Set the number of top lines reserved for a menu bar. Default is 1.

MB_SYSTEM

Specifies presence of system menu on menu bars:

OK_SYSTEM: System menu item (==) appears on menu bar. (D)
NO_SYSTEM: System menu item does not appear on menu bar.

Miscellaneous

IN_BLOCK

Sets cursor appearance:

OK_NOBLOCK (d): Cursor occupies one character position in a field.
OK_BLOCK: Current field is changed to reverse video to simulate a large cursor. The cursor occupies the entire field.

MB_ACCATT

Sets the attributes for mnemonic characters on a menu bar. The default is HILIGHT | WHITE

ZW_BORDSTYLE

Sets border style for zoom windows:

NOBORDER: No border.
style number: A number between 0 and 9 indicates a style. Default is 1.

ZW_BORDATT

Sets border attributes for zoom windows. The default value RED HILIGHT B_CONTAINER.Refer to Table 2-1 for a list of the keywords.

SMLPRINT

Specifies the operating system command that is invoked through the local print key (LP). Use this variable to issue a print command that prints the current screen by substituting %s for the file name. For example, the print screen command might look like this:

SMLPRINT = lpr %s

This variable can be defined in a setup file, overridden by setting it at the system environment, and changed at runtime with sm_soption.