form_cursor - Linux
Overview
form_cursor
is a Linux command-line tool designed to create and manage cursor keys for text-based user interfaces (TUIs). It helps developers define custom cursor shapes and behaviors, enhancing the functionality and user experience of TUI applications.
Syntax
form_cursor [-s <shape>] [-b <blink>] [-c <color>] [-e <enable>] [-d <delay>] [-S <save>] [-L <load>]
Options/Flags
- -s, –shape (Required): Specifies the cursor shape. Available shapes include:
block
,underline
,blink
,overline
. Default:block
- -b, –blink: Enables or disables cursor blinking. Can be used alone or in conjunction with other shapes. Default:
disabled
- -c, –color: Sets the cursor color. Accepts any valid ANSI color code. Default:
default
- -e, –enable: Enables or disables the cursor. Default:
enabled
- -d, –delay: Specifies the cursor blink delay in milliseconds. Default:
500
- -S, –save: Saves the current cursor configuration to a file.
- -L, –load: Loads a previously saved cursor configuration from a file.
Examples
Create a blinking block cursor with a red color:
form_cursor -s block -b -c '31'
Disable cursor blinking and enable an underline shape:
form_cursor -b -s underline -e
Save the current cursor configuration to a file:
form_cursor -S cursor.cfg
Load a saved cursor configuration from a file:
form_cursor -L cursor.cfg
Common Issues
- Cursor not visible: Ensure that the cursor is enabled using the
-e
flag. - Cursor shape not changing: Check the specified shape against the available options.
- Cursor color not applied: Use valid ANSI color code when specifying a color.
Integration
form_cursor
can be integrated with other commands to enhance TUI applications:
- Use with
dialog
to create custom menus and prompts with customized cursors. - Combine with
whiptail
to define navigation and selection behaviors for TUI interfaces.
Related Commands
- infocmp: Provides information about terminal capabilities, including cursor shapes and colors.
- tput: Controls terminal output, including cursor positioning and shape.