source: appendixa/ncurses-desc.xml@ a639468

<sect2><title>&nbsp;</title><para>&nbsp;</para></sect2>

<sect2><title>Short descriptions</title>

<para><command>captoinfo</command> converts a termcap description into a
terminfo description.</para>

<para><command>clear</command> clears the screen, if this is possible.</para>

<para><command>infocmp</command> compares or prints out terminfo
descriptions.</para>

<para><command>infotocap</command> converts a terminfo description into
a termcap description.</para>

<para><command>reset</command> reinitializes a terminal to its default
values.</para>

<para><command>tack</command> is the terminfo action checker. It is mainly
used to test the correctness of an entry in the terminfo database.</para>

<para><command>tic</command> is the terminfo entry-description compiler.
It translates a terminfo file from source format into the binary format needed
for the ncurses library routines. A terminfo file contains information on the
capabilities of a certain terminal.</para>

<para><command>toe</command> lists all available terminal types, for each
giving its primary name and its description.</para>

<para><command>tput</command> makes the values of terminal-dependent
capabilities available to the shell. It can also be used to reset or initialize
a terminal, or report its long name.</para>

<para><command>tset</command> can be used to initialize terminals.</para>

<para><command>libncurses*</command> contain functions to display text in
many complicated ways on a terminal screen. A good example of the use of these
functions is the menu displayed during the kernel's make menuconfig.</para>

<para><command>libform*</command> contain functions to implement forms.</para>

<para><command>libmenu*</command> contain functions to implement menus.</para>

<para><command>libpanel*</command> contain functions to implement panels.</para>

</sect2>