Defining function keys

[Gary Piatt]

In article <1869 at umbc3.UMBC.EDU> Rouben Rostamian writes:
=>
=>           ...  Is there a way to define function keys to execute
=>certain commands in UNIX?  For example, can one press f17 (I have
=>a vt220) to execute "/bin/ps -w -u smith"?                 ~~~~~~
  ~~~~~~~

Good for you!  In my own opinion, the only thing better than a DEC
vt220 is a Visual Technology v220 (because it has my name on it).

Personally, for this particular problem, I would stop trying to make
Unix do things it doesn't want to do and start making the vt220 do
things is *supposed* to do.  Check your user's manual (if you don't
have one, just email to me and I'll look this up at home); there's
a command sequence there for programming the function keys.  It's
something like:
	ESC P kn X  {string} ESC \
		kn = the key number
		X = the terminator character -- I don't remember
			what it is (it's in the manual)
		{string} = whatever you want programmed

Save a bunch of these in a file somewhere and cat the file to your
terminal during your .login.  Then, when you want one of those
functions, press <SHIFT><f17> and the terminal does the rest.

Better yet, junk the DEC and tell your boss you want a Visual 220
{andd *don't* let them sell you a 215!);  the keys can be programmed
locally and saved in non-volatile ROM.

				-Garison-


PS: if you get the 220, go into Set-up and press <CTRL><SHIFT><?>
=>
=>-- 
=>Rouben Rostamian
=>Department of Mathematics                      e-mail:
=>University of Maryland Baltimore Counnty       Rostamian at umbc2.bitnet
=>Baltimore, MD 21228                            rostamia at umbc3.umbc.edu