how to display standard output in inverse video

[Mladen Despic]

Do you know a simple way to format text as inverse video in your vt100 or hpterm telnet session?

[RAC_1 · Accepted solution]

tput smso--to start it
then tput rmso to end it.

Anil

[curt larson_1]

you could look at this

HV=$(/usr/bin/tput smso 2>/dev/null)
IV=$(/usr/bin/tput bold 2>/dev/null)
EE=$(/usr/bin/tput sgr0 2>/dev/null)

print "${HV}$(hostname)${IV}$PWD${EE} >>!"

[john korterman]

Hi,
to see your options:
# untic
on my terminal I can use:
# tput rev
and
# tput sgr0
to end it.

regards,
John K.

[Alzhy]

Or you can also use ANSI ESC codes for inverse video and misc. ANSI screen behaviour including colors:

See this link:

http://www.termsys.demon.co.uk/vtansi.htm

[Bill Hassell]

Just a note about using escape sequences in a script or program. It will always be wrong when someone with a different terminal logs in. That's the whole idea behind the $TERM variable and the Curses library (which tput uses). When you login, the TERM variable should always be set explicitly by ttytype. Unfortunately, the HP standard profiles check if $TERM has already been set and for telnet (not serial ports) $TERM can be set by the local client...and will always be wrong or incompatible. Make sure ttytype is always run at login as in:

eval $(ttytype -a -s)

Now you can use generic names such as bold or blink for the tput command and it will work correctly on HP terminals, a real DEC VT100 (anyone ever seen one?) and pretenders like Windows hyperterminal.