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Text-Terminal-HOWTO

v1.38, February 2006

David S. Lawyer mailto:dave@lafn.org


This document explains what text terminals are, how they work, how to install and configure them, and provides some info on how to repair them. If you don't have a terminal manual, it may be of help. While it's written for real terminals on a Linux system, much of it is also applicable to terminal emulation and may be helpful for non-Linux systems.

1. Introduction

2. Types of Terminals

3. Quick Install

4. Why Use a Terminal ?

5. Overview of How Terminals Work (in Linux)

6. Terminal Special Files such as /dev/tty

7. Some Details on How Terminals Work

8. Special Features of Some Terminals

9. Terminal Emulation (including the Console)

10. Flow Control (Handshaking)

11. Physical Connection

12. Set-Up (Configure) in General

13. Terminal Set-Up (Configure) Details

14. Computer Set-Up (Configure) Details

15. Terminfo and Termcap (detailed)

16. Using the Terminal

17. Special Uses for a Terminal

18. Trouble-Shooting

19. Repair & Diagnose

20. Appendix A: General

21. Appendix B: Escape Sequence Commands Terminology

22. Appendix C: Serial Communications on EIA-232 (RS-232)

23. Appendix D: Notes by Brand/Model


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