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The Linux Text-Terminal-HOWTO

David S. Lawyer mailto:dave@lafn.org

v1.10, 22 December 1999


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. It may be of some use even if you don't have a terminal manual. While it's written for real terminals on a Linux system, some 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; 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. Trouble-Shooting (software)

18. Repair & Diagnose

19. Appendix A: General

20. Appendix B: Escape Sequence Commands Terminology

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

22. Appendix D: Notes by Brand Name


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