kbdset(1) — USER COMMANDS
NAME
kbdset − attach to kbd mapping tables, set modes
SYNOPSIS
kbdset [-oq] [-a table] [-v string] [-k hotkey] [-m x] [-t ticks] kbdset [-oq] [-d table] [-v string] [-k hotkey] [-m x] [-t ticks]
DESCRIPTION
kbdset is the normal user interface to the kbd STREAMS module [see kbdcomp(1M) and kbd(7) for general descriptions of the module’s capabilities]. The kbdset command allows users to attach to pre-loaded tables, detach from tables, and to set options. Options are provided for setting hot-keys to toggle tables and for controlling modes of the module.
Arguments and options are scanned and acted upon in command line order. If the -o option is given, subsequent options affect the output side of the STREAM, otherwise the input side is assumed.
Presence of the -q option causes the kbdset command to list tables which can be accessed by the invoking user. In this case all subsequent options are ignored. The output from the -q option lists the user’s current hot-key settings, current timer values, and for each available table an identifier, the name, size, attachments (input and/or output sides), reference count, number of components, and type (private or public). In the following example, there is one composite table, two tables are attached on the input side, and one on the output side.
In Hot Key = ^_
Timers: In = 20 ; Out = 20
ID Name Size I/O Ref Cmp Type
4039f300 Ucase 56 - o 1 - ext
403a0480 Case/Dvorak 68 - - 0 2 pri
[4039f300] [4037e400]
4036ce00 Deutsche 332 i - 4 - pub
4037e400 Dvorak 312 i - 2 - pri
The ID field is an identifier unique to a given table (actually its address in memory). Currently attached tables are marked i or o, otherwise the I/O fields are marked with a dash. Ref is a reference count of attached users (including composites that refer to simple tables) and if non-zero, indicates that the table is in use. Size is the total size in bytes of the table and associated overhead in memory. If the table is a composite table, the Cmp field contains a number instead of a dash, and the following line lists an identifier for each component, in order of processing (allowing identification of the components in a composite table). Publicly available tables are marked with the type pub and private tables with pri. Private tables are available only to the invoking user and within the current STREAM. Tables which are really external functions [see kbd(7)] are marked ext; they are always of the type – pub. Tables that are interpreted in timeout mode [see kbdcomp(1M)] have an asterisk (∗) preceding the Type field; members of composite tables that are interpreted in timeout mode have an asterisk after their bracketed identifier (on the second output line). External functions are never time-sensitive, unless by their own internal specification.
The option -a accompanied by an argument attaches to the named table. A table may not be multiply attached by a single user. When a table is attached and no other table is already attached then the table is automatically made current. The option -d detaches from the named table [see kbdload(1M) for a description of how tables are loaded].
The -k option sets the user’s hot-key. Setting a hot-key with only a single active table allows mapping to be toggled on and off, depending on the hot-key mode. A hot-key is a single byte, typically set to a relatively unused control character, that is caught by the kbd module and used for module control rather than being translated in any way. The key used as a hot-key becomes unavailable for other uses (unless it is generated by mapping). The hot-key may be reset at any time, independently from other options. Note that kbdset does not interpret ^X-type sequences; it expects a literal hot-key character.
The -m option with an integer argument controls the hot-key mode. Legal modes are 0, 1 (the default), and 2. Mode 0 allows one to toggle through the list of attached tables. Upon reaching the end of the list, the cycle returns to the beginning of the list. Use of mode 0 with only one table loaded does not allow mapping to be turned off. Mode 1 toggles to the unmapped state upon reaching the end of the list (for example, given two tables, the sequence is table1, table2, off, table1, and so on). Mode 2 toggles to the unmapped (or off) state between every table in the list of attached tables (for example, given two tables, the sequence is table1, off, table2, off, table1, and so on).
The -v option turns on verbose mode, which can be useful when multiple tables are used in interactive sessions. In verbose mode, the name of the table can be output to the terminal whenever the user changes to a new table with the hot-key. The string associated with the option can be any short string. If the character sequence %n appears in the string, the name of the current table (or a null string) will be substituted for the %n. (A null argument to -v is equivalent to terse mode.) One useful sequence for this mode is save-cursor, goto-status-line, clear-to-end-of-line, “%n”, restore-cursor. This causes output of the current table name on the terminal’s status line; in the absence of a status-line, a simple sequence is to print the table name and RETURN [see terminfo(4) for the appropriate escape sequences]. Verbose mode is only available to show input table status to the output side of the STREAM. The output string for verbose mode is not itself passed through the mapping process, but is transmitted directly downstream with no other interpretation (it should thus be a string of ASCII characters or in some other externally available codeset).
The -t option with an argument is used to change the timer for tables in the STREAM that are interpreted in timeout mode. Values (in “clock ticks”) between 5 and 400 are acceptable. (Depending on the hardware, the clock is usually either 60Hz or 100Hz, thus one tick is either 1/60 or 1/100 of a second; with a bit of experimentation, a suitable value for one’s own system and typing speed can be found.) When a table that uses timeout mode is attached, it is assigned the current timer value. All tables that are attached after setting the timer value will take on the new value, but tables currently attached are unaffected (this allows one to set different values for different tables). The option does not affect other users’ values. The timer value may be set independently for input and output sides by using -t in conjunction with -o. The value for a currently attached table may be reset by detaching the table, setting the value, then re-attaching the table.
In the query output, the line beginning with Timers: shows the timer values for input and output sides of the module.
LIMITATIONS
A table may be detached while it is current; however, in this case, it is first made non-current; this allows error recovery under adverse circumstances. Detachment of a current table is not affected by the current hot-key mode, but always toggles to a state where no table is current.
CAVEATS
It is not possible with the -q option to see the timer values assigned to currently attached tables, nor to reset the value for a table that is currently attached.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Better control of timeout mode and values should be provided.
FILES
/usr/lib/kbd directory containing system standard map files