The Ncurses library provides an API for creating text-based user interfaces in a terminal-independent manner. It handles screen painting, input, and window management, abstracting away low-level details like terminal capabilities. Ncurses builds upon the older Curses library, offering enhancements and broader compatibility. Key features include window creation and manipulation, formatted output with color and attributes, handling keyboard and mouse input, and supporting various terminal types. The library simplifies tasks like creating menus, dialog boxes, and other interactive elements commonly found in text-based applications. By using Ncurses, developers can write portable code that works across different operating systems and terminal emulators without modification.
Vtm is a terminal-based desktop environment built with Python and inspired by tiling window managers. It aims to provide a lightweight and keyboard-driven workflow, allowing users to manage multiple terminal windows within a single terminal instance. Vtm utilizes a tree-like structure for window organization, enabling split layouts and tabbed interfaces. Its configuration is handled through a simple Python file, offering customization options for keybindings, colors, and startup applications. Ultimately, Vtm strives to offer a minimalist and efficient terminal experience for users who prefer a text-based environment.
Hacker News users discuss vtm, a text-based desktop environment, focusing on its potential niche use cases. Some commenters see value in its minimal resource usage for embedded systems or as a fallback interface. Others appreciate the accessibility benefits for visually impaired users or those who prefer keyboard-driven workflows. Several express interest in trying vtm out of curiosity or for specific tasks like remote server administration. A few highlight the project's novelty and the nostalgic appeal of text-based interfaces. Some skepticism is voiced regarding its practicality compared to modern graphical DEs, but the overall sentiment is positive, with many praising the developer's effort and acknowledging the potential value of such a project. A discussion arises about the use of terminology, clarifying the difference between a window manager and a desktop environment. The lightweight nature of vtm and its integration with notcurses are also highlighted.
Summary of Comments ( 5 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43452789
Hacker News users discussing the ncurses intro document generally praised it as a good resource, especially for beginners. Some appreciated the historical context provided, while others highlighted the clarity and practicality of the tutorial. One commenter mentioned using it to learn ncurses for a project, showcasing its real-world applicability. Several comments pointed out modern alternatives like FTXUI (C++) and blessed-contrib (JS), acknowledging ncurses' age but also its continued relevance and wide usage in existing tools. A few users discussed the benefits of text-based UIs, citing speed, remote accessibility, and lower resource requirements.
The Hacker News post "Writing Programs with Ncurses" linking to the ncurses introduction page sparked a moderate discussion with 15 comments. Several commenters shared their experiences and perspectives on using ncurses, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.
One commenter pointed out ncurses's historical significance and ongoing relevance, particularly in situations where a full GUI isn't feasible, such as remote server administration. They emphasized its lightweight nature and speed, contrasting it with more resource-intensive alternatives.
Another commenter expressed a preference for using libraries like FTXUI, deeming it a more "modern" approach to terminal UI development, although acknowledging the subjective nature of such preferences. This spurred a brief sub-thread discussing FTXUI and comparing its capabilities and ease of use to ncurses. One participant in this sub-thread noted FTXUI's apparent lack of support for wide characters, a potential drawback for certain applications.
The thread also touches upon challenges in debugging ncurses applications, with one user mentioning the difficulty of working with GDB in these contexts.
Some users shared specific use cases for ncurses, including system monitoring tools and text editors. One commenter highlighted the role of ncurses in projects like "tmux," a terminal multiplexer, illustrating its practical application in popular software.
A few comments focused on the article itself, praising its clarity and conciseness as an introductory resource to ncurses. One commenter lauded the manual's detailed and comprehensive nature.
The discussion also briefly explored alternatives to ncurses, like Newt, but the primary focus remained on ncurses itself, its utility, and the experience of developers using it. While not extensively debated, the comments collectively paint a picture of ncurses as a valuable, albeit somewhat niche, tool in the modern developer's toolkit, especially appreciated for its performance in resource-constrained environments.