Defining default TTY attributes

Syntax

OPTIONS {
  INPUT {ATTRIBUTE|ATTRIBUTES} ( { FORM | WINDOW | attributes } )
| DISPLAY {ATTRIBUTE|ATTRIBUTES} ( { FORM | WINDOW | attributes } )
}

Usage

OPTIONS INPUT ATTRIBUTES defines the default color and terminal effect attributes that will be used in subsequent dialog statement.

OPTIONS DISPLAY ATTRIBUTES defines the default attributes for display statements.

The display attributes are based on dumb terminal (i.e. TTY) possibilities, but will be rendered accordingly on GUI mode. Graphical front-ends can be configured to render TTY attributes is a specific way. Instead of TTY based attributes, consider using presentation styles in new developments.

Any display attribute defined by the OPTIONS statement remains in effect until the runtime system encounters a statement that redefines the same attribute. This can be another OPTIONS statement, or an ATTRIBUTE clause in one of the following statements:

• CONSTRUCT
• INPUT
• DISPLAY
• DIALOG
• INPUT ARRAY
• DISPLAY ARRAY
• OPEN WINDOW

The ATTRIBUTE clause in these statements only redefines the attributes temporarily. After the window closes or after the dialog statement terminates, the runtime system restores the attributes from the most recent OPTIONS statement.

The FORM keyword in INPUT ATTRIBUTE or DISPLAY ATTRIBUTE clauses instructs the runtime system to use the input or display attributes of the current form. Similarly, you can use the WINDOW keyword of the same clauses to instruct the program to use the input or display attributes of the current window. You cannot combine the FORM or WINDOW attributes with any other attributes.

This table shows the valid input and display attributes: