Configuring function keys for vt102

[Bob Rasmussen]

On Sun, 14 Oct 2007, fp at casabellagallery.com wrote:

> I have been asked for assistance in something where I am most weak,
> configuring 'termcap' entries to program Function Keys.
> 
> In lieu of giving the wrong advise, I am posting his question here
> in hope the answer reaches him and thus help solve his problem.
> 
> Following is the question as posted by a filePro user:
> 
> **********************************************************************
> 
> In linux fedora 5 i am programming in filepro and cant seem to get a good 
> terminal w/ the right keys defined. The best i have gotten is a vt102 
> terminal but the F keys are not defined. i really dont care if the F keys 
> are shown at the bottom ctrl g vs F9 in define processing.
> 
> I need to know how to program the F keys for the vt102. This terminal 
> has the best screen that is viewable and i just need to tweak the F keys 
> /define them somewhere so that when programming process etc. they will 
> do the right job.
> 
> on my unix system they all work great but on the linux i can't find where 
> to define the F keys. 
> 
> what files should i look at. i have tried the /fp/termcap and i can get it 
> to show the right labels at the bottom but not important to me as getting 
> the actual F keys programmed. 
> 
> what is the default filepro console terminal that has all the F keys defined. 
> i have messed with /etc/termcap and the filepro termcap but not really able 
> to get it to work.
> 
> **********************************************************************

It is not clear to me whether this person is working a) ON the Linux 
console, b) connecting to it from a dumb terminal, or c) connecting to it 
from a terminal emulator. I'll give some hints along each road:

a) If you're using the Linux console, you probably want to set your 
terminal type to "linux". This has had consistent behavior for quite some 
time. You don't need to "program" the F-keys then, you need only to make 
sure filePro recognizes them. There should be a linux terminal type 
definition in both the /etc/termcap and the filePro termcap (unless it is 
ancient).

b) A true VT102 has only 4 function keys, labeled PF1 through PF4. 
Probably not a good choice.

c) A terminal emulator will allow you to choose a variety of emulations, 
which must be understood by the filePro system. The most common choices, I 
believe, or SCOANSI or linux.

Regards,
....Bob Rasmussen,   President,   Rasmussen Software, Inc.

personal e-mail: ras at anzio.com
 company e-mail: rsi at anzio.com
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