libterminfo

libterminfo is a software library designed to provide terminal capability information across various terminal types. It is part of the terminfo database system, which standardizes how programs interact with different terminal hardware and emulators by storing capabilities and control sequences.

Developed primarily for Unix-like operating systems, libterminfo allows applications to automatically detect and adapt to the features of the terminal in use, such as cursor movement, text formatting, and color support. This ensures consistent behavior of terminal-based applications like text editors, shells, and other command-line tools, regardless of the underlying terminal type.

The library offers functions for querying terminal capabilities, initializing terminal settings, and performing control sequences based on the terminal's specifications. It relies on data stored in terminfo database files, which are typically compiled from human-readable source files. These capabilities facilitate portability and flexibility in terminal application development.

libterminfo is often distributed as part of larger terminal handling libraries, such as ncurses, which provide higher-level abstractions for user interface development. It is generally written in C, making it widely compatible with various programming environments.

Over time, libterminfo has undergone various updates to support new terminal features and standards. Its role remains critical in enabling terminal-independent software to operate reliably across diverse hardware and emulation environments. Despite the advent of graphical interfaces, libterminfo continues to serve as an essential component in command-line and text-based application development.