form_field_buffer(3X)

NAME
form_field_buffer - field buffer control

SYNOPSIS
#include <form.h>
int set_field_buffer(FIELD *field, int buf, const char *value);
char *field_buffer(const FIELD *field, int buffer);
int set_field_status(FIELD *field, bool status);
bool field_status(const FIELD *field);
int set_max_field(FIELD *field, int max);

DESCRIPTION
The function set_field_buffer sets the numbered buffer of the given field to contain a given string. Buffer 0 is the displayed value of the field; other numbered buffers may be allocated by applications through the nbuf argument of (see form_field_new(3X)) but are not manipulated by the forms library. The function field_buffer returns the address of the buffer. Please note that this buffer has always the length of the buffer, that means that it may typically contain trailing spaces. If you entered leading spaces the buffer may also contain them. If you want the raw data, you must write your own routine that copies the value out of the buffer and removes the leading and trailing spaces. Please note also, that subsequent operations on the form will probably change the content of the buffer. So do not use it for long term storage of the entered form data. The function set_field_status sets the associated status flag of field; field_status gets the current value. The status flag is set to a nonzero value whenever the field changes. The function set_max_field sets the maximum size for a dynamic field. An argument of 0 turns off any maximum size threshold for that field.

RETURN VALUE
The field_buffer function returns NULL on error. The field_status function returns TRUE or FALSE. The remaining routines return one of the following:

E_OK
    The routine succeeded.

E_SYSTEM_ERROR
    System error occurred (see errno).

E_BAD_ARGUMENT
    Routine detected an incorrect or out-of-range argument.

SEE ALSO
curses(3X) and related pages whose names begin "form_" for detailed descriptions of the entry points.

NOTES
The header file <form.h> automatically includes the header file When configured for wide-characters, field_buffer returns a pointer to temporary storage (allocated and freed by the library). The application should not attempt to modify the data. It will be freed on the next call to field_buffer to return the same buffer. <curses.h>.

PORTABILITY
These routines emulate the System V forms library. They were not supported on Version 7 or BSD versions.

AUTHORS
Juergen Pfeifer. Manual pages and adaptation for new curses by Eric S. Raymond.