If I use ftp (or pftp) client ftp-0.17-6 go to some ftp site, start downloading (command mget *) then do ctl-Z to suspend command, then bg % to put into background the ftp will work in background. when it finishes - it gets suspened (waithing for input) The problem is: now if I put ftp client to a foreground ( type %) the output of ftp command on the screen is not right. I can still type ftp commands (and they are executed OK) but I can not see what I type. The output of ftp command on screen becomes incorrect after suspend and resume. Similar problem exists with some other commands when they get suspended.
This is because the terminal control codes are sent nowhere while the process is backgrounded. There's no way to fix this short of rewriting readline. If you need to get files without having ftp constantly bothering you, use ncftpget or ftpcopy instead of backgrounding the ftp process.