CURSES_KEYNAME(3) | Library Functions Manual | CURSES_KEYNAME(3)

# NAME

`curses_keyname`, `keyname` —
curses report key name routine

# LIBRARY

Curses Library (libcurses, -lcurses)

# SYNOPSIS

`#include <curses.h>`

char *
`keyname`(int key);

# DESCRIPTION

The function `keyname`() generates a character string containing a description of the key specified in key.

The string is formatted according to the following table:

Description | Key range | String format
`Control character` | 0 - 31 | ^X
`Visible character` | 32 - 126 | X
`Delete character` | 127 | ^?
`Meta + control character` | 128 - 158 | M-^X
`Meta + visible character` | 159 - 254 | M-X
`Meta + delete character` | 255 | M-^?
`Named key` | KEY_MIN - KEY_MAX | KEY_EXIT
`Unknown key` |  | -1

# SEE ALSO

curses_input(3)

# NOTE

The return value of `keyname`() is a static buffer, which will be overwritten on a subsequent call.

# STANDARDS

The NetBSD Curses library complies with the X/Open Curses specification, part of the Single Unix Specification.

# HISTORY

These functions first appeared in NetBSD 2.0.

October 17, 2007 | NetBSD 9.3