Bug 2820

Summary: xterm reverse video flag is incorrectly reset by ncurses visual bell
Product: [Retired] Red Hat Linux Reporter: samb
Component: ncursesAssignee: Preston Brown <pbrown>
Status: CLOSED NEXTRELEASE QA Contact:
Severity: medium Docs Contact:
Priority: low    
Version: 6.0   
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Hardware: All   
OS: Linux   
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Fixed In Version: Doc Type: Bug Fix
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Last Closed: 1999-08-29 15:07:32 UTC Type: ---
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Description samb 1999-05-14 15:38:28 UTC
When using an xterm in reverse video mode (eg. -rv switch),
and an application that uses terminfo and ncurses to control
the screen (eg. 'screen' with vbell mode on), a visual-bell
will cause the xterm to lose its reverse video state.
The reason for this is that the terminfo file included with
the ncurses package (ncurses-4.2-18,
/usr/share/terminfo/x/xterm) defines a capability sequence
for flash (used by ncurses call 'flash()', to display a
visual bell) that is incorrect; the sequence given is in
fact 'reverse-video on, reverse-video off'. This sequence
will flash the screen, but it also forces the xterm into
reverse-video off mode, causing the bug. XTerm does not in
fact support this sequence (visual bell), although it will
perform a visual bell on receipt of an audible bell when
visual bell mode is enabled (-vb switch). This incorrect
sequence is not included in the termcap entry for xterm, and
so applications that work via this interface are not
effected.
To correct this simply decompile the terminfo file for xterm
(infocmp /usr/share/terminfo/x/xterm > xterm.src), remove
the flash capability with a text editor, and recompile the
entry (tic xterm.src).

Comment 1 David Lawrence 1999-05-14 21:33:59 UTC
I have verified that this does occur in the final release of Red Hat
6.0.

Comment 2 Cristian Gafton 1999-07-28 07:35:59 UTC
assigned to pbrown

Comment 3 Preston Brown 1999-08-29 15:07:59 UTC
this has been fixed for the 6.1 ncurses.