C++ interface to ncurses routines ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This directory contains the source code for three C++ classes which ease the use of writing ncurses-based programs. The code is derived from the libg++ CursesWindow class but enhanced for ncurses. The classes simplify the use of window specific functions by encapsulating them in the window object. Function overloading is used in order to narrow the interface. E.g. you don't have the distinction between `printw' and `mvprintw' anymore. A second benefit is the removal of all #defines which are included in the curses.h file. This is a steady cause of trouble because many common identifiers are used. Instead now all #defines are inline functions which also allows strict type checking of arguments. The next enhancement is color support, which is provided by a derived class. The implementation chosen here is directed to unrestricted use of mixes of color and monochrome windows. This is done through virtual functions and means that you can write all of your code as if a color window is the destination. If the destination window is monochrome these functions calls have no effect. NOTE: This implementation of the color support was topic of some discussion. The introduction of virtual functions introduced some overhead. Please let us know what you think about this: is it worth being able to write color supporting functions. The last point to mention is the support of another package Zeyd distributes with his ncurses package: the panels library. This support is provided by the NCursesPanel class, which is also derived from the NCursesWindow class. This allows building interfaces with windows. Please see the example program for a quick introduction. Note that at this point, there is no documentation for these classes. Hopefully some will be written in the not too distant future. For now, to find out how to use the classes, read the code and the example program. Suggestions for enhancements and contributions of code (and docs) are welcome. Please let us know which functionality you miss. ATTENTION LINUX USERS: There is currently some discussion of replacing the BSD curses in the Linux libc with ncurses. If this is done we could perhaps include these classes in the Linux libg++ replacing the original CursesWindow class (and renaming it to CursesWindow). This could be done because NCursesWindow can be made easily to a superset of the CursesWindow class. Original author: Eric Newton for FSF's libg++ Authors of this release: Ulrich Drepper and Anatoly Ivasyuk