4gl 'error' gives reverse video on entire screen

On Dec 7, 7:02 pm, Ian Goddard wrote:
> loc wrote:
> > I'm using Informix 4GL 7.32.UC4 on Slackware Linux 12.1 and any time
> > the 4gl 'error' command is executed the entire screen goes reverse
> > video.  It only does this if I set INFORMIXTERM=terminfo.  I need this
> > because function keys don't work unless I use terminfo.  It also does
> > the reverse video on the entire screen if I press a function key which
> > does not have an 'on key' associated with it.  Any ideas what is
> > causing this display problem?  I'm using TERM=xterm.
>
> Do you mean it just goes reverse for a moment and then back to normal?
> If so that sounds like xterm's visual bell.  Application sends the BEL
> char.  xterm doesn't know how to go "ding" so it flashes the screen instead.
>
> --
> Ian
>
> Hotmail is for spammers.  Real mail address is igoddard
> at nildram co uk

Tried starting the xterm with +vb to disable the visual bell, but it
didn't fix the problem.
 >> Stay informed about: 4gl 'error' gives reverse video on entire screen 

loc wrote:
> I'm using Informix 4GL 7.32.UC4 on Slackware Linux 12.1 and any time
> the 4gl 'error' command is executed the entire screen goes reverse
> video. It only does this if I set INFORMIXTERM=terminfo. I need this
> because function keys don't work unless I use terminfo. It also does
> the reverse video on the entire screen if I press a function key which
> does not have an 'on key' associated with it. Any ideas what is
> causing this display problem? I'm using TERM=xterm.

Do you mean it just goes reverse for a moment and then back to normal?
If so that sounds like xterm's visual bell. Application sends the BEL
char. xterm doesn't know how to go "ding" so it flashes the screen instead.

--
Ian

Hotmail is for spammers. Real mail address is igoddard
at nildram co uk
 >> Stay informed about: 4gl 'error' gives reverse video on entire screen 

loc escribió:
> I'm using Informix 4GL 7.32.UC4 on Slackware Linux 12.1 and any time
> the 4gl 'error' command is executed the entire screen goes reverse
> video. It only does this if I set INFORMIXTERM=terminfo. I need this
> because function keys don't work unless I use terminfo. It also does
> the reverse video on the entire screen if I press a function key which
> does not have an 'on key' associated with it. Any ideas what is
> causing this display problem? I'm using TERM=xterm.
> _______________________________________________
> Informix-list mailing list
> Informix-list DeleteThis @iiug.org
> http://www.iiug.org/mailman/listinfo/informix-list
>
Your termcap and terminfo are incomplete. You can define the function
keys in termcap, or fix the wrong terminfo entry to go back from reverse
screen. Or you can download one of many termcap/terminfo files in the
iiug repository.
HTH

Mario R. Canto
 >> Stay informed about: 4gl 'error' gives reverse video on entire screen 

On Dec 8, 7:23 am, Ian Goddard wrote:
> loc wrote:
> > On Dec 7, 7:02 pm, Ian Goddard wrote:
> >> loc wrote:
> >>> I'm using Informix 4GL 7.32.UC4 on Slackware Linux 12.1 and any time
> >>> the 4gl 'error' command is executed the entirescreengoesreverse
> >>> video. It only does this if I set INFORMIXTERM=terminfo. I need this
> >>> because function keys don't work unless I use terminfo. It also does
> >>> thereversevideo on the entirescreenif I press a function key which
> >>> does not have an 'on key' associated with it. Any ideas what is
> >>> causing this display problem? I'm using TERM=xterm.
> >> Do you mean it just goesreversefor a moment and then back to normal?
> >> If so that sounds like xterm's visual bell. Application sends the BEL
> >> char. xterm doesn't know how to go "ding" so it flashes thescreeninstead.
>
> >> --
> >> Ian
>
> >> Hotmail is for spammers. Real mail address is igoddard
> >> at nildram co uk
>
> > No it stays in reverse, I have to exit the program and type 'reset' to
> > get normal color back. What you suggest does sound like a
> > possibility, I'll investigate how to turn off the bell and see if
> > that's it. It does this anytime an invalid key is pressed so I think
> > you may be on to something.
>
> Go into vi and hit ESC without being in insert mode. If the same thing
> happens, even if it's supposed to be off then (a) it is a visual bell
> and (b) xterm's mishandling it.
>
> You could also try some other terminal emulator such as gnome-terminal.
>
> --
> Ian
>
> Hotmail is for spammers. Real mail address is igoddard
> at nildram co uk

It works in vi. If I hit ESC while not in insert mode, it beeps. If
I start the xterm with -vb then the screen flashes in reverse, but
does go back to normal. So it seems the 4gl problem of staying in
reverse is a different issue.
 >> Stay informed about: 4gl 'error' gives reverse video on entire screen 

On Dec 8, 7:23 am, Ian Goddard wrote:
> loc wrote:
> > On Dec 7, 7:02 pm, Ian Goddard wrote:
> >> loc wrote:
> >>> I'm using Informix 4GL 7.32.UC4 on Slackware Linux 12.1 and any time
> >>> the 4gl 'error' command is executed the entirescreengoesreverse
> >>> video. It only does this if I set INFORMIXTERM=terminfo. I need this
> >>> because function keys don't work unless I use terminfo. It also does
> >>> thereversevideo on the entirescreenif I press a function key which
> >>> does not have an 'on key' associated with it. Any ideas what is
> >>> causing this display problem? I'm using TERM=xterm.
> >> Do you mean it just goesreversefor a moment and then back to normal?
> >> If so that sounds like xterm's visual bell. Application sends the BEL
> >> char. xterm doesn't know how to go "ding" so it flashes thescreeninstead.
>
> >> --
> >> Ian
>
> >> Hotmail is for spammers. Real mail address is igoddard
> >> at nildram co uk
>
> > No it stays in reverse, I have to exit the program and type 'reset' to
> > get normal color back. What you suggest does sound like a
> > possibility, I'll investigate how to turn off the bell and see if
> > that's it. It does this anytime an invalid key is pressed so I think
> > you may be on to something.
>
> Go into vi and hit ESC without being in insert mode. If the same thing
> happens, even if it's supposed to be off then (a) it is a visual bell
> and (b) xterm's mishandling it.
>
> You could also try some other terminal emulator such as gnome-terminal.
>
> --
> Ian
>
> Hotmail is for spammers. Real mail address is igoddard
> at nildram co uk

The xterm bell does not sound when using terminfo with 4gl, but
anytime it should sound is when I get the entire screen in reverse.
 >> Stay informed about: 4gl 'error' gives reverse video on entire screen 

loc wrote:
> On Dec 7, 7:02 pm, Ian Goddard wrote:
>> loc wrote:
>>> I'm using Informix 4GL 7.32.UC4 on Slackware Linux 12.1 and any time
>>> the 4gl 'error' command is executed the entirescreengoesreverse
>>> video. It only does this if I set INFORMIXTERM=terminfo. I need this
>>> because function keys don't work unless I use terminfo. It also does
>>> thereversevideo on the entirescreenif I press a function key which
>>> does not have an 'on key' associated with it. Any ideas what is
>>> causing this display problem? I'm using TERM=xterm.
>> Do you mean it just goesreversefor a moment and then back to normal?
>> If so that sounds like xterm's visual bell. Application sends the BEL
>> char. xterm doesn't know how to go "ding" so it flashes thescreeninstead.
>>
>> --
>> Ian
>>
>> Hotmail is for spammers. Real mail address is igoddard
>> at nildram co uk
>
> No it stays in reverse, I have to exit the program and type 'reset' to
> get normal color back. What you suggest does sound like a
> possibility, I'll investigate how to turn off the bell and see if
> that's it. It does this anytime an invalid key is pressed so I think
> you may be on to something.

Go into vi and hit ESC without being in insert mode. If the same thing
happens, even if it's supposed to be off then (a) it is a visual bell
and (b) xterm's mishandling it.

You could also try some other terminal emulator such as gnome-terminal.

--
Ian

Hotmail is for spammers. Real mail address is igoddard
at nildram co uk
 >> Stay informed about: 4gl 'error' gives reverse video on entire screen 

On Dec 8, 7:23 am, Ian Goddard wrote:
> loc wrote:
> > On Dec 7, 7:02 pm, Ian Goddard wrote:
> >> loc wrote:
> >>> I'm using Informix 4GL 7.32.UC4 on Slackware Linux 12.1 and any time
> >>> the 4gl 'error' command is executed the entirescreengoesreverse
> >>> video. It only does this if I set INFORMIXTERM=terminfo. I need this
> >>> because function keys don't work unless I use terminfo. It also does
> >>> thereversevideo on the entirescreenif I press a function key which
> >>> does not have an 'on key' associated with it. Any ideas what is
> >>> causing this display problem? I'm using TERM=xterm.
> >> Do you mean it just goesreversefor a moment and then back to normal?
> >> If so that sounds like xterm's visual bell. Application sends the BEL
> >> char. xterm doesn't know how to go "ding" so it flashes thescreeninstead.
>
> >> --
> >> Ian
>
> >> Hotmail is for spammers. Real mail address is igoddard
> >> at nildram co uk
>
> > No it stays in reverse, I have to exit the program and type 'reset' to
> > get normal color back. What you suggest does sound like a
> > possibility, I'll investigate how to turn off the bell and see if
> > that's it. It does this anytime an invalid key is pressed so I think
> > you may be on to something.
>
> Go into vi and hit ESC without being in insert mode. If the same thing
> happens, even if it's supposed to be off then (a) it is a visual bell
> and (b) xterm's mishandling it.
>
> You could also try some other terminal emulator such as gnome-terminal.
>
> --
> Ian
>
> Hotmail is for spammers. Real mail address is igoddard
> at nildram co uk

I found the problem, as Ian pointed out it was the visual bell. Here
is what I did to fix it so when the bell should sound it won't go into
reverse and stay there.

$ infocmp -L > xterm.terminfo

Modified the generated xterm.terminfo file and changed
flash_screen=\E[?5h$<100/>\E[?5l
to
flash_screen=^G

$ tic -s xterm.terminfo

This put my modified terminfo xterm in ~/.terminfo.

Now I get the bell sound and the screen doesn't go into reverse. Does
anyone know why the 4GL programs are using flash_screen= instead of
bell= in the xterm terminfo file.
 >> Stay informed about: 4gl 'error' gives reverse video on entire screen