rbcurse-core 0.0.0 → 0.0.1

data/README.md

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ Core intends to be :
 
    * be backward compatible.
 
-   * simple, maintaible code
+   * simple, maintainable code
 
 I shall be standardizing core over the next one or two minor versions. I shall also be simplifying code as much as possible to make it maintainable and more bug-free.
 
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ The new tabbedpane and messagebox will replace the old ones, while the old ones
 
 Color formatting needs to be standardized and a proper API firmed up for that, so user code does not get affected by internal changes. Similarly, work on textpad may get integrated into some widgets since it could simplify their code.
 
+I have not yet begun working on extras and experimental as yet. This contains code that was working
+in rbcurse-1.5, but not tested or touched since then. I will only get around there after polishing
+the core a bit more. The code lies on github.
+
 ## Install
 
    `gem install rbcurse-core`        # just the core
@@ -58,7 +62,7 @@ Color formatting needs to be standardized and a proper API firmed up for that, s
 
 * rbcurse - <http://github.com/rkumar/rbcurse/>
 
-* rbcurse-core - <http://github.com/rkumar/rbcurse-core/>
+* rbcurse-extras - <http://github.com/rkumar/rbcurse-extras/>
 
 * rbcurse-experimental - <http://github.com/rkumar/rbcurse-experimental/>
 

data/VERSION

@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.0.0
+0.0.1

data/examples/abasiclist.rb

@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ App.new do
     end
   
  
-  label({:text => "F1 Help, F10 Quit. Press F4 and F5 to test popup, space or enter to select", :row => Ncurses.LINES-1, :col => 0})
+  label({:text => "F1 Help, F10 Quit. : for menu. Press F4 and F5 to test popup, space or enter to select", :row => Ncurses.LINES-1, :col => 0})
 
   @form.bind_key(FFI::NCurses::KEY_F4) { row = lb.current_index+lb.row; col=lb.col+lb.current_value.length+1;  ret = popuplist(%w[ andy berlioz strauss tchaiko matz beethoven], :row => row, :col => col, :title => "Names", :bgcolor => :blue, :color => :white) ; alert "got #{ret} "}
 

data/examples/bline.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+require 'rbcurse/core/util/app'
+require 'rbcurse/core/util/bottomline'
+require 'fileutils'
+
+# this will go into top namespace so will conflict with other apps!
+def testnumberedmenu
+  list1 =  %w{ ruby perl python erlang rake java lisp scheme chicken }
+  list1[0] = %w{ ruby ruby1.9 ruby1.8.x jruby rubinius ROR }
+  list1[5] = %w{ java groovy grails }
+  str = numbered_menu list1, { :title => "Languages: ", :prompt => "Select :" }
+  $log.debug "17 We got #{str.class} "
+  message "We got #{str} "
+end
+def testdisplay_list
+  # scrollable list
+  text = Dir.glob "*.rb"
+  $log.debug "XXX:  DDD got #{text.size} "
+  str = display_list text, :title => "Select a file"
+  $log.debug "23 We got #{str} :  #{str.class} , #{str.list[str.current_index]}  "
+  file = str.list[str.current_index]
+  #message "We got #{str.list[str.current_index]} "
+  show file
+end
+def testdisplay_text
+  str = display_text_interactive File.read($0), :title => "#{$0}"
+end
+def testdir
+  # this behaves like vim's file selector, it fills in values
+  str = ask("File?  ", Pathname)  do |q| 
+    q.completion_proc = Proc.new {|str| Dir.glob(str +"*").collect { |f| File.directory?(f) ? f+"/" : f  } }
+    q.help_text = "Enter start of filename and tab to get completion"
+  end
+  message "We got #{str} "
+  show str
+end
+# if components have some commands, can we find a way of passing the command to them
+# method_missing gave a stack overflow.
+def execute_this(meth, *args)
+  alert " #{meth} not found ! "
+  $log.debug "app email got #{meth}  " if $log.debug? 
+  cc = @form.get_current_field
+  [cc].each do |c|  
+    if c.respond_to?(meth, true)
+      c.send(meth, *args)
+      return true
+    end
+  end
+  false
+end
+
+App.new do 
+  def show file
+    w = @form.by_name["tv"]
+    if File.exists? file
+      lines = File.open(file,'r').readlines 
+      w.text lines
+      w.title "[ #{file} ]"
+    end
+  end
+  def testchoose
+    # list filters as you type
+    $log.debug "called CHOOSE " if $log.debug? 
+    filter = "*"
+    filter = ENV['PWD']+"/*"
+    str = choose filter, :title => "Files", :prompt => "Choose a file: (Alt-h Help) ", 
+      :help_text => "Enter first char/s and tab to complete filename. Scroll with C-n, C-p"
+    if str
+      message "We got #{str} " 
+      show str
+    end
+  end
+  ht = 24
+  borderattrib = :reverse
+  @header = app_header "rbcurse #{Rbcurse::VERSION}", :text_center => "Bottomline Test", 
+    :text_right =>"Click :", :color => :white, :bgcolor => 235
+  message "Press F10 to exit, F1 Help, : for Menu  "
+
+
+    
+    # commands that can be mapped to or executed using M-x
+    # however, commands of components aren't yet accessible.
+    def get_commands
+      %w{ testchoose testnumberedmenu testdisplay_list testdisplay_text testdir }
+    end
+    def help_text
+      <<-eos
+               BOTTOMLINE HELP 
+
+      These are some features for either getting filenames from user
+      at the bottom of the window like vim and others do.
+
+      :        -   Command mode
+      F1       -   Help
+      F10      -   Quit application
+
+      Some commands for using bottom of screen as vim and emacs do.
+      These may be selected by pressing ':'
+
+      testchoose       - filter directory list as you type
+      testdir          - vim style, tabbing completes matching files
+      testnumberedmenu - use menu indexes to select options
+      testdisplaylist  - display a list at bottom of screen
+                         Press <ENTER> to select.
+      testdisplaytext  - display text at bottom (current file contents)
+                         Press <ENTER> when done.
+
+      The file/dir selection options are very minimally functional. Improvements
+      and thorough testing are required. I've only tested them out gingerly.
+
+      -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+      :n or Alt-n for general help.
+      eos
+    end
+
+    #install_help_text help_text
+
+    def app_menu
+      menu = PromptMenu.new self do
+        item :c, :testchoose
+        item :d, :testdir
+        item :n, :testnumberedmenu
+        item :l, :testdisplay_list
+        item :t, :testdisplay_text
+      end
+      menu.display_new :title => "Menu"
+    end
+  @form.bind_key(?:) { app_menu; }
+
+  stack :margin_top => 1, :margin_left => 0, :width => :expand , :height => FFI::NCurses.LINES-2 do
+    tv = textview :height_pc => 100, :width_pc => 100, :name => "tv"
+  end # stack
+    
+  sl = status_line :row => Ncurses.LINES-1
+  testdisplay_list 
+end # app

data/examples/dbdemo.rb

@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def view_sql stmt
   rescue => err
     $log.error err.to_s
     $log.error(err.backtrace.join("\n"))
-    alert err.to_s
+    textdialog [err.to_s, *err.backtrace], :title => "Exception"
   end
 end
 
@@ -279,23 +279,23 @@ App.new do
           alert "Select a table first." 
         end
       end
-      clist.bind_key('w') {
+      clist.bind_key('w', 'add to where condition') {
         c = clist.current_value
         $where_columns ||= []
         hist = ["#{c} = "]
-        w = ask("(UP arrow to edit) where "){ |q| q.default = "#{c} = "; q.history = hist }
+        w = rb_gets("where "){ |q| q.default = "#{c} = "; q.history = hist }
         $where_columns << w if w
         message "where: #{$where_columns.last}. Press F4 when done"
         $log.debug "XXX: WHERE: #{$where_columns} "
       }
-      clist.bind_key('o') {
+      clist.bind_key('o', 'add to order by') {
         c = clist.current_value
         $order_columns ||= []
         $order_columns << c if c
         message "order (asc): #{$order_columns.last}. Press F4 when done"
         $log.debug "XXX: ORDER: #{$order_columns} "
       }
-      clist.bind_key('O') {
+      clist.bind_key('O', 'add to ordery by desc') {
         c = clist.current_value
         $order_columns ||= []
         $order_columns << " #{c} desc " if c
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ App.new do
       tarea_keyarray = keyarray + [ ["M-z", "Commands"], nil ]
       #tarea_sub_keyarray = [ ["r", "Run"], ["c", "clear"], ["w","Save"], ["a", "Append next"], 
       #["y", "Yank"], ["Y", "yank pop"] ]
-      tarea_sub_keyarray = [ ["r", "Run"], ["c", "clear"], ["w","Kill Ring Save (M-w)"], ["a", "Append Next"], 
+      tarea_sub_keyarray = [ ["r", "Run"], ["c", "clear"], ["e", "Edit externally"], ["w","Kill Ring Save (M-w)"], ["a", "Append Next"], 
         ["y", "Yank (C-y)"], ["Y", "yank pop (M-y)"],
         ["u", "Undo (C-_)"], ["R", "Redo (C-r)"],
       ]
@@ -373,18 +373,18 @@ App.new do
       end
 
 
-      @form.bind_key([?q,?q]) { throw :close }
-      @form.bind_key(?\M-t) do
+      @form.bind_key([?q,?q], 'quit') { throw :close }
+      @form.bind_key(?\M-t, 'select table') do
         if $current_db.nil?
           alert "Please select database first"
         else
           create_popup( get_table_names,:single) {|value| $selected_table = $current_table =  value}
         end
       end
-      @form.bind_key(?\M-d) do
+      @form.bind_key(?\M-d, 'select database') do
         ask_databases
       end
-      @form.bind_key(FFI::NCurses::KEY_F4) do
+      @form.bind_key(FFI::NCurses::KEY_F4, 'view data') do
         $where_string = nil
         $order_string = nil
         if $where_columns
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ App.new do
     stack :width_pc => 80 do
       tarea = textarea :name => 'tarea', :height => 5, :title => 'Sql Statement'
       #undom = SimpleUndo.new tarea
-      tarea.bind_key(Ncurses::KEY_F4) do
+      tarea.bind_key(Ncurses::KEY_F4, 'view data') do
         text = tarea.get_text
         if text == ""
           alert "Please enter a query and then hit F4. Or press F4 over column list"
@@ -418,9 +418,10 @@ App.new do
         end
       end
       tarea.bind(:ENTER) { @adock.mode :tarea }
-      tarea.bind_key(?\M-z){
+      tarea.bind_key(?\M-z, 'textarea submenu'){
 
         hash = { 'c' => lambda{ tarea.remove_all },
+          'e' => lambda{ tarea.edit_external },
           'w' => lambda{ tarea.kill_ring_save },
           'a' => lambda{ tarea.append_next_kill },
           'y' => lambda{ tarea.yank },
@@ -451,7 +452,7 @@ App.new do
         #button_row = 17
         button "Save" do
           @cmd_history ||= []
-          filename = ask("File to append contents to: ") { |q| q.default = @oldfilename; q.history = @cmd_history }
+          filename = rb_gets("File to append contents to: ") { |q| q.default = @oldfilename; q.history = @cmd_history }
 
           if filename
             str = tarea.get_text
@@ -463,16 +464,21 @@ App.new do
           else
             message "Aborted operation"
           end
-          hide_bottomline
+          #hide_bottomline
         end
         button "Read" do
           filter = "*"
-          str = choose filter, :title => "Files", :prompt => "Choose a file: "
-          begin
-            tarea.set_content(str) 
-            message "Read content from #{str} "
-          rescue => err
-            say_with_pause "No file named: #{str}: #{err.to_s} "
+          #str = choose filter, :title => "Files", :prompt => "Choose a file: "
+          cproc = Proc.new { |str| Dir.glob(str + "*") }
+          str = rb_gets "Choose a file: ", :title => "Files", :tab_completion => cproc, 
+            :help_text => "Press <tab> to complete filenames. C-a, C-e, C-k. Alt-?"
+          if str && File.exists?(str)
+            begin
+              tarea.set_content(str) 
+              message "Read content from #{str} "
+            rescue => err
+              print_error_message "No file named: #{str}: #{err.to_s} "
+            end
           end
         end
         #ok_button = button( [button_row,30], "OK", {:mnemonic => 'O'}) do 

data/examples/term2.rb

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ require 'rbcurse/core/widgets/scrollbar'
   end
 App.new do 
   header = app_header "rbcurse #{Rbcurse::VERSION}", :text_center => "Tabular Demo", :text_right =>"New Improved!", :color => :black, :bgcolor => :white, :attr => :bold 
-  message "Press F10 to escape from here"
+  message "F10 quit, F1 Help, ? Bindings"
   install_help_text my_help_text
 
   flow :width => FFI::NCurses.COLS , :height => FFI::NCurses.LINES-2 do

data/examples/testlistbox.rb

@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ if $0 == __FILE__
       listb.one_key_selection = false # this allows us to map keys to methods
       listb.vieditable_init_listbox
       include Io
-      listb.bind_key(?r, 'get file'){ get_file("Get a file:", 70) }
+      listb.bind_key(?r, 'get file'){ get_file("Get a file:") }
       listb.bind(:PRESS) { 
         w = @form.by_name["tv"]; 
         lines = `ri -f bs #{listb.text}`.split("\n")
@@ -131,9 +131,11 @@ if $0 == __FILE__
         w = ev.word_under_cursor.strip
         # check that user did not hit enter on empty area
         if w != ""
-          text = `ri -f bs #{tv.title}.#{w}` rescue "No details for #{w}"
-          text = text.split("\n")
-          view(text, :content_type => :ansi)
+          _text = `ri -f bs #{tv.title}.#{w} 2>&1` 
+          _text = _text.split("\n")
+          if _text && _text.size != 0
+            view(_text, :content_type => :ansi)
+          end
         end
       }
 

data/lib/rbcurse/core/include/appmethods.rb

@@ -100,12 +100,14 @@ module RubyCurses
       RubyCurses::Viewer.view(res.split("\n"), :close_key => KEY_ENTER, :title => "<Enter> to close, M-l M-h to scroll")
     end
     def shell_out command
-      @window.hide
+      w = @window || @form.window
+      w.hide
       Ncurses.endwin
-      system command
+      ret = system command
       Ncurses.refresh
       #Ncurses.curs_set 0  # why ?
-      @window.show
+      w.show
+      return ret
     end
   end # utils
 end # module RubyC

data/lib/rbcurse/core/include/io.rb

@@ -7,252 +7,207 @@
 #  Current are:
 #    * rbgetstr (and those it calls)
 #    * display_cmenu and create_mitem
+# Changes:
+# 2011-12-6 : removed many old, outdated methods.
 #*******************************************************#
-##
-# added RK 2010-11-02 18:11 so can be used in widgets too
-# maybe can be removed from app, if accessible there too.
-require 'forwardable'
-require 'rbcurse/core/util/bottomline'
-#$terminal = RubyCurses::Bottomline.new
-#$terminal.name = "$terminal io.rb"
-#module Kernel
-  #extend Forwardable
-  #def_delegators :$terminal, :agree, :ask, :choose, :say
-#end
-#$tt.window = @window; $tt.message_row = @message_row # <<-- TODO somewhere
 module Io
 
-  # from which line to print in footer_win
-  LINEONE = 1
-  FOOTER_COLOR_PAIR = 6
-  MAIN_WINDOW_COLOR_PAIR = 5
-  ERROR_COLOR_PAIR = 7
-                                 
+  # create a 2 line window at bottom to accept user input
+  # 
+  def __create_footer_window h = 2 , w = Ncurses.COLS, t = Ncurses.LINES-2, l = 0
+    ewin = VER::Window.new(h, w , t, l)
+  end
+  # 2011-11-27 I have replaced the getting of chars with a field
+
+  # routine to get a string at bottom of window.
+  # The first 3 params are no longer required since we create a window
+  # of our own. 
+  # @param [String] prompt - label to show
+  # @param [Fixnum] maxlen - max length of input
+  # @param [Hash] config - :default, :display_length of Field, :help_text, :tab_completion
+  # help_text is displayed on F1
+  # tab_completion is a proc which helps to complete user input
+  # This method is now only for backward compatibility
+  # rbgetstr had various return codes based on whether user asked for help
+  # possibly mimicking alpine, or because i could do nothing about it.
+  # Now, rbgets handles that and only returns if the user cancels or enters
+  # a string, so rbgets does not need to return other codes.
+  def rbgetstr(nolongerused, r, c, prompt, maxlen, config={})
+    config[:maxlen] = maxlen
+    str = rb_gets(prompt, config)
+    if str
+      return 0, str
+    else
+      return -1, nil
+    end
+  end
+
+  # get a string at the bottom of the screen
+  #
+  # @param [String] prompt - label to show
+  # @param [Hash] config - :default, :display_length of Field, :help_text, :tab_completion
+  # help_text is displayed on F1
+  # tab_completion is a proc which helps to complete user input
+  # @yield [Field] for overriding or customization
+  # @return [String, nil] String if entered, nil if canceled
+  def rb_gets(prompt, config={}) # yield field
+      if config.is_a? Array
+        options = config
+        completion_proc = Proc.new{|str| 
+          options.dup.grep Regexp.new("^#{str}");
+        }
+        config = {}
+        config[:tab_completion] = completion_proc
+      end
+    begin
+      win = __create_footer_window
+      form = Form.new win
+      r = 0; c = 1;
+      default = config[:default] || ""
+      prompt = "#{prompt} [#{default}]:" if default.size > 0
+      _max = FFI::NCurses.COLS-1-prompt.size-4
+      displen = config[:display_length] || [config[:maxlen] || 999, _max].min
+      maxlen = config[:maxlen] || _max
+      field = Field.new form, :row => r, :col => c, :maxlen => maxlen, :default => default, :label => prompt,
+        :display_length => displen
+      bg = Ncurses.COLORS >= 236 ? 233 : :blue
+      field.bgcolor = bg
+      field.cursor_end if default.size > 0
+      def field.default=(x); default(x);end
+
+      # if user wishes to use the yield and say "field.history = [x,y,z] then
+      # we should alredy have extended this, so lets make it permanent
+      #if config[:history]
+        #raise ArgumentError, "Field history must be an array" unless config[:history].is_a? Array
+        require 'rbcurse/core/include/rhistory'
+        field.extend(FieldHistory)
+        #field.history_config :row => 
+        field.history = config[:history]
+      #end
 
-def __create_footer_window h = 2 , w = Ncurses.COLS, t = Ncurses.LINES-2, l = 0
-  ewin = VER::Window.new(h, w , t, l)
-end
-# complex version of get_string that allows for trappng of control character
-# such as C-c and C-h and TAB for completion
-# validints contains int codes not chars.
-  # NOTE: change. C-g was help key in alpine but abort key in emacs. C-c sometimes
-  # crashes app, so i am using C-g as abort. Help on M-h
-  # TODO We should put a field there, make it visible and mv it to after the prompt
-  # and handle all editing events on it.
-  # @return status_code, string (0 if okay, 7 if help asked for, -1 for abort
-  #def rbgetstr(win, r, c, prompt, maxlen, default, labels, validints=[], helptext="")
-# 2011-11-27 I have replaced the getting of chars with a field
-# Still need to handle tab-completion, can do that with horizlist !! YEAHHH !!!
-def rbgetstr(nolongerused, r, c, prompt, maxlen, config={})
-  begin
-    win = __create_footer_window
-    form = Form.new win
-    r = 0; c = 1;
-    default = config[:default] || ""
-    displen = config[:display_length] || maxlen
-    prompt = "#{prompt} [#{default}]: " unless default
-    field = Field.new form, :row => r, :col => c, :maxlen => maxlen, :default => default, :label => prompt,
-      :display_length => displen
-    #require 'rbcurse/core/include/rhistory'
-    #field.extend(FieldHistory)
-    #field.history_config :row => FFI::NCurses.LINES-12
-    #field.history %w[ jim john jack ruby jane jill just testing ]
-    form.repaint
-    win.wrefresh
-    prevchar = 0
-    entries = nil
-    while ((ch = win.getchar()) != 999)
-      break if ch == 10 || ch == 13
-      return -1, nil if ch == ?\C-c.getbyte(0) || ch == ?\C-g.getbyte(0)
-      #if ch == ?\M-h.getbyte(0) #                            HELP KEY
-        #helptext = config[:helptext] || "No help provided"
+      yield field if block_given?
+      form.repaint
+      win.wrefresh
+      prevchar = 0
+      entries = nil
+      oldstr = nil # for tab completion, origal word entered by user
+      while ((ch = win.getchar()) != 999)
+        break if ch == 10 || ch == 13 || ch == KEY_ENTER
+        #return -1, nil if ch == ?\C-c.getbyte(0) || ch == ?\C-g.getbyte(0)
+        return nil if ch == ?\C-c.getbyte(0) || ch == ?\C-g.getbyte(0)
+        #if ch == ?\M-h.getbyte(0) #                            HELP KEY
+        #help_text = config[:help_text] || "No help provided"
         #color = $datacolor
-        #print_help(win, r, c, color, helptext)
+        #print_help(win, r, c, color, help_text)
         ## this will come over our text
-      #end
-      # TODO tab completion and help_text print on F1
-      # that field objects can extend, same for tab completion and gmail completion
-      if ch == KEY_TAB
+        #end
+        # TODO tab completion and help_text print on F1
+        # that field objects can extend, same for tab completion and gmail completion
+        if ch == KEY_TAB
           if config
             str = field.text
-            if prevchar == 9
+            if prevchar == KEY_TAB
               if !entries.nil? && !entries.empty?
                 str = entries.delete_at(0)
+              else
+                str = oldstr if oldstr
+                prevchar = ch = nil # so it can start again completing
               end
             else
               tabc = config[:tab_completion] unless tabc
               next unless tabc
-              entries = tabc.call(str)
-              $log.debug " tab got #{entries} "
+              oldstr = str.dup
+              entries = tabc.call(str).dup
+              $log.debug " tab got #{entries} for str=#{str}"
               str = entries.delete_at(0) unless entries.nil? || entries.empty?
+              str = str.to_s.dup
             end
             if str
               field.text = str
+              field.cursor_end
               field.set_form_col # shit why are we doign this, text sets curpos to 0
             end
             form.repaint
             win.wrefresh
           end
 
-        # tab_completion
-        # if previous char was not tab, execute tab_completion_proc and push first entry
-        # else push the next entry
-      elsif ch == KEY_F1
-        helptext = config[:helptext] || "No help provided. C-c/C-g aborts. <TAB> completion. Alt-h history. C-a/e"
-        print_status_message helptext
+          # tab_completion
+          # if previous char was not tab, execute tab_completion_proc and push first entry
+          # else push the next entry
+        elsif ch == KEY_F1
+          help_text = config[:help_text] || "No help provided. C-c/C-g aborts. <TAB> completion. Alt-h history. C-a/e"
+          print_status_message help_text, :wait => 7
+        else
+          form.handle_key ch
+        end
+        prevchar = ch
+        win.wrefresh
       end
-      prevchar = ch
-      form.handle_key ch
-      win.wrefresh
+    rescue => err
+      Ncurses.beep
+      textdialog [err.to_s, *err.backtrace], :title => "Exception"
+      $log.error "EXC in rbgetsr #{err} "
+      $log.error(err.backtrace.join("\n")) 
+    ensure
+      win.destroy if win
     end
-  rescue => err
-    Ncurses.beep
-    $log.error "EXP in rbgetsr #{err} "
-    $log.error(err.backtrace.join("\n")) 
-  ensure
-    win.destroy if win
+    config[:history] << field.text if config[:history] && field.text
+    return field.text
   end
-  return 0, field.text
-end
-  def originalrbgetstr(nolongerused, r, c, prompt, maxlen, config={})
-    #win ||= @target_window
-    win = __create_footer_window
-    $log.debug " inside io.rb rbgetstr #{win} r:#{r} c:#{c} p:#{prompt} m:#{maxlen} #{win.name} "
-    r = 0; c = 1;
-    ins_mode = false
-    default = config[:default] || ""
-    prompt = "#{prompt} [#{default}]: " unless default
-    len = prompt.length
 
-    # clear the area of len+maxlen
-    color = $datacolor
-    str = default
-    #clear_this win, r, c, color, len+maxlen+1
-    print_this(win, prompt+str, color, r, c)
-    len = prompt.length + str.length
-    #x mylabels=["^G~Help  ", "^C~Cancel"]
-    #x mylabels += labels if !labels.nil?
+  # get a character.
+  # unlike rb_gets allows user to enter control or alt or function character too.
+  # @param [String] prompt or label to show.
+  # @param [Hash] configuration such as default or regexp for validation
+  # @return [Fixnum] nil if canceled, or ret value of getchar which is numeric
+  # If default provided, then ENTER returns the default
+  def rb_getchar(prompt, config={}) # yield field
     begin
-      Ncurses.noecho(); # FFI RK 2011-09-11 seems this was causing issue of writing on top
-      #x print_key_labels( 0, 0, mylabels)
-      #curpos = 0
-      curpos = str.length
+      win = __create_footer_window
+      #form = Form.new win
+      r = 0; c = 1;
+      default = config[:default] 
+      prompt = "#{prompt} [#{default}] " if default
+      win.mvprintw(r, c, "%s: " % prompt);
+      bg = Ncurses.COLORS >= 236 ? 236 : :blue
+      color_pair = get_color($reversecolor, :white, bg)
+      win.printstring r, c + prompt.size + 2, " ", color_pair
+
+      win.wrefresh
       prevchar = 0
       entries = nil
-      #win.mvwgetnstr(LINEONE-3,askstr.length,yn,maxlen)
-      while true
-        #ch=win.mvwgetch(r, len) # get to right of prompt - WHY  NOT WORKING ??? 
-        ch=win.getchar()
-        $log.debug "io.rb rbgetstr got ch:#{ch}, #{win} , str:#{str}, len: #{len} "
-        case ch
-        when 3 # -1 # C-c
-          return -1, nil
-        when ?\C-g.getbyte(0)                              # ABORT
-          return -1, nil
-        when 10, 13 # hits ENTER
-          break
-        when ?\C-h.getbyte(0), ?\C-?.getbyte(0), KEY_BSPACE, 263 # delete previous character/backspace
-          # currently hitting C-h is giving 263 instead of 8
-          len -= 1 if len > prompt.length
-          curpos -= 1 if curpos > 0
-          str.slice!(curpos)
-          clear_this win, r, c, color, len+maxlen+1
-          #print_this(win, prompt+str, color, r, c)
-        when 330 # delete character on cursor
-          #len -= 1 if len > prompt.length
-          #curpos -= 1 if curpos > 0
-          str.slice!(curpos) #rescue next
-          clear_this win, r, c, color, len+maxlen+1
-        when ?\M-h.getbyte(0) #                            HELP KEY
-          #x print_footer_help(helptext)
-          helptext = config[:helptext] || "No help provided"
-          print_help(win, r, c, color, helptext)
-          return 7, nil
-        when KEY_LEFT
-          curpos -= 1 if curpos > 0
-          len -= 1 if len > prompt.length
-          win.wmove r, c+len # since getchar is not going back on del and bs
-          win.wrefresh # FFI 2011-09-19 otherwise not showing
+      while ((ch = win.getchar()) != 999)
+        return default.ord if default && (ch == 13 || ch == KEY_ENTER)
+        return nil if ch == ?\C-c.getbyte(0) || ch == ?\C-g.getbyte(0)
+        if ch == KEY_F1
+          help_text = config[:help_text] || "No help provided. C-c/C-g aborts."
+          print_status_message help_text, :wait => 7
+          win.wrefresh # nevr had to do this with ncurses, but have to with ffi-ncurses ??
           next
-        when KEY_RIGHT
-          if curpos < str.length
-            curpos += 1 #if curpos < str.length
-            len += 1 
-            win.wmove r, c+len # since getchar is not going back on del and bs
-            win.wrefresh # FFI 2011-09-19 otherwise not showing
-          end
-          next
-        when ?\C-a.getbyte(0)
-          #olen = str.length
-          #clear_this win, r, c, color, len+maxlen+1
-          #clear_line len+maxlen+1, @prompt_length
-          len -= curpos
-          curpos = 0
-          win.move r, c+len # since getchar is not going back on del and bs
-          win.wrefresh # FFI 2011-09-19 otherwise not showing
-        when ?\C-e.getbyte(0)
-          olen = str.length
-          len += (olen - curpos)
-          curpos = olen
-          #clear_line len+maxlen+1, @prompt_length
-          win.move r, c+len # since getchar is not going back on del and bs
-          win.wrefresh # FFI 2011-09-19 otherwise not showing
-        when ?\M-i.getbyte(0) 
-          ins_mode = !ins_mode
-          next
-        when KEY_TAB # TAB
-          # this is where we can use the horizlist !!! TODO when he tabs !!!
-          if config
-            if prevchar == 9
-              if !entries.nil? and !entries.empty?
-                str = entries.delete_at(0)
-              end
-            else
-              tabc = config[:tab_completion] unless tabc
-              next unless tabc
-              entries = tabc.call(str)
-              $log.debug " tab got #{entries} "
-              str = entries.delete_at(0) unless entries.nil? or entries.empty?
-            end
-          end
-        else
-          #if validints.include?ch
-          #print_status("Found in validints")
-          #return ch, nil
-          #else
-          if ch < 0 || ch > 255
-            Ncurses.beep
-            next
-          end
-          # if control char, beep
-          if ch.chr =~ /[[:cntrl:]]/
-            Ncurses.beep
-            next
-          end
-          # we need to trap KEY_LEFT and RIGHT and what of UP for history ?
-          #end
-          #str << ch.chr
-          if ins_mode
-            str[curpos] = ch.chr
+        end
+        if config[:regexp]
+          reg = config[:regexp]
+          if ch > 0 && ch < 256
+            chs = ch.chr
+            return ch if chs =~ reg
+            alert "Wrong character. #{reg} "
           else
-            str.insert(curpos, ch.chr)
+            alert "Wrong character. #{reg} "
           end
-          len += 1
-          curpos += 1
-          break if str.length > maxlen
+        else
+          return ch
         end
-        print_this(win, prompt+str, color, r, c)
-        win.wmove r, c+len # more for arrow keys, curpos may not be end
+        #form.handle_key ch
         win.wrefresh
-        prevchar = ch
       end
-      str = default if str == ""
+    rescue => err
+      Ncurses.beep
+      $log.error "EXC in rbgetsr #{err} "
+      $log.error(err.backtrace.join("\n")) 
     ensure
-      Ncurses.noecho();
-      win.destroy # now that we created a window 2011-11-26 
-      #x restore_application_key_labels # must be done after using print_key_labels
+      win.destroy if win
     end
-    return 0, str
+    return nil
   end
 
   # This is just experimental, trying out tab_completion
@@ -260,10 +215,11 @@ end
   # @param [String] label to print before field
   # @param [Fixnum] max length of field
   # @return [String] filename or blank if user cancelled
-  def get_file prompt, maxlen=70  #:nodoc:
+  def get_file prompt, config={}  #:nodoc:
+    maxlen = 70
     tabc = Proc.new {|str| Dir.glob(str +"*") }
-    config={}; config[:tab_completion] = tabc
-    config[:default] = "test"
+    config[:tab_completion] ||= tabc
+    #config[:default] = "test"
     ret, str = rbgetstr(nil,0,0, prompt, maxlen, config)
     #$log.debug " get_file returned #{ret} , #{str} "
     return "" if ret != 0
@@ -272,163 +228,19 @@ end
   def clear_this win, r, c, color, len
     print_this(win, "%-*s" % [len," "], color, r, c)
   end
-  def print_help(win, r, c, color, helptext)
-    print_this(win, "%-*s" % [helptext.length+2," "], color, r, c)
-    print_this(win, "%s" % helptext, color, r, c)
-    sleep(5)
-  end
-  # @table_width is a constant in caller based on which we decide where to show
-  # key_labels and error messages.
-  # WHEN WE CREATE A PANEL BWLOW we can do away wit that. FIXME XXX
-  # return true for y, false for n
-  #  e.g.
-  #  <code>
-  #  ret =  @main.askyesno(nil, "Are you sure you wish to proceed?")
-  #  </code>
-  #   2008-10-09 18:27 added call to print_footer_help
-  def askyesno(win, askstr, default = "N", helptext="Helptext for this question")
-    win ||= @footer_win
-    askstr = "#{askstr} [#{default}]: "
-    len = askstr.length
-
-    clear_error # 2008-10-13 20:26 
-    print_this(win, askstr, 4, LINEONE, 0)
-    labels=["?~Help  "," ~      ", "N~No    ", "Y~Yes   "]
-    print_key_labels( 0, 0, labels)
-    win.refresh
-    #Ncurses.echo();
-    yn=''
-    #win.mvwgetnstr(Ncurses.LINES-3,askstr.length,yn,maxlen)
-    while true
-      ch=win.mvwgetch(LINEONE,askstr.length)
-      if ch < 0 || ch > 255
-        next
-      end
-      yn = ch.chr
-      yn = default if yn == '' or ch == 10 # KEY_ENTER
-      yn.downcase!
-      break if yn =~/[yn]/
-      if yn == '?'
-        print_footer_help(helptext) 
-        print_key_labels( 0, 0, labels)
-        next
-      end
-      Ncurses.beep
-    end
-    #Ncurses.noecho();
-    clear_error # 2008-11-06 19:27 
-    restore_application_key_labels # must be done after using print_key_labels
-    win.refresh
-    return yn == 'y' 
-  end
-
-  # return y or n or c
-  
-  def askyesnocancel(win, askstr, default = "N")
-    win ||= @footer_win
-    askstr = "#{askstr} [#{default}]: "
-    len = askstr.length
-
-    clear_error # 2008-10-13 20:26 
-    print_this(win, askstr, 4, LINEONE, 0)
-    labels=["N~No    ", "Y~Yes   ","C~Cancel"," ~    "]
-    print_key_labels( 0, 0, labels)
-    win.refresh
-    yn=''
-    #win.mvwgetnstr(LINEONE,askstr.length,yn,maxlen)
-    while true
-      ch=win.mvwgetch(LINEONE,askstr.length)
-      yn = ch.chr
-      yn = default if yn == '' or ch == 10 # KEY_ENTER
-      yn.downcase!
-      break if yn =~/[ync]/
-      Ncurses.beep
-    end
-    restore_application_key_labels # must be done after using print_key_labels
-    return yn
-  end
 
-  # return single digit from given choices
-  # e.g.
-  #  <code>
-  #  labels=["N~No    ", "Y~Yes   ","C~Cancel"," ~      ","S~SurpiseMe","G~GoAway!  "]
-  #  ret =  @main.askchoice(nil, "Are you sure you wish to proceed?","N",labels,"NYCSG")
-  #  @main.clear_error
-  #  </code>
 
-  def askchoice(win, askstr, default, labels, validchars, config={})
-    win ||= @footer_win
-    askstr = "#{askstr} [#{default}]: "
-    len = askstr.length
-    helptext = config.fetch("helptext", "No helptext provided for this action")
 
-    clear_error # 2008-10-13 20:26 
-    print_this(win, askstr, 4, LINEONE, 0)
-    #labels=["N~No    ", "Y~Yes   ","C~Cancel"," ~    "]
-    print_key_labels( 0, 0, labels)
-    yn=''
-    validchars.downcase!
-    #win.mvwgetnstr(LINEONE-3,askstr.length,yn,maxlen)
-    while true
-      ch=win.mvwgetch(LINEONE,askstr.length)
-      yn = ch.chr
-      # 2008-10-31 18:08 
-      if ch == ?\C-g or yn == '?'
-        print_footer_help(helptext)
-        print_key_labels( 0, 0, labels)
-        next
-      end
-      yn = default if yn == '' or ch == 10 # KEY_ENTER
-      yn.downcase!
-      break if validchars.include?yn
-      Ncurses.beep
-    end
-    restore_application_key_labels # must be done after using print_key_labels
-    return yn
-  end
-    def get_string(win, askstr, maxlen=20, default="", labels=nil )
-    win ||= @footer_win
-    askstr = "#{askstr} [#{default}]: "
-    len = askstr.length
-
-    clear_error #  2008-11-06 19:25 
-    print_this(win, askstr, 4, LINEONE, 0)
-    #labels=["N~No    ", "Y~Yes   ","C~Cancel"," ~    "]
-    mylabels = ["^G~Help  ", "^C~Cancel"]
-    mylabels = (mylabels + labels) if !labels.nil?
-
-    print_key_labels( 0, 0, mylabels)
-    Ncurses.echo();
-    yn=''
-    begin
-      Signal.trap("INT"){ return nil }
-      win.mvwgetnstr(LINEONE,askstr.length,yn,maxlen)
-    rescue
-      yn=''
-    ensure
-    Ncurses.noecho();
-    clear_error #  2008-11-02 11:51 
-    restore_application_key_labels # must be done after using print_key_labels
-    end
-    yn = default if yn == "" # 2008-10-31 18:59 
-    return yn
-  end
-
-
-    ##
-    # prints given text to window, in color at x and y coordinates
-    # @param [Window] window to write to
-    # @param [String] text to print
-    # @param [int] color pair such as $datacolor or $promptcolor
-    # @param [int] x  row
-    # @param [int] y  col
-    # @see Window#printstring
-    # Consider using Window#printstring
+  ##
+  # prints given text to window, in color at x and y coordinates
+  # @param [Window] window to write to
+  # @param [String] text to print
+  # @param [int] color pair such as $datacolor or $promptcolor
+  # @param [int] x  row
+  # @param [int] y  col
+  # @see Window#printstring
   def print_this(win, text, color, x, y)
-    if !win
-      raise "win nil in print_this"
-    end
-    #$log.debug " printthis #{win} , #{text} , #{x} , #{y} "
+    raise "win nil in print_this" unless win
     color=Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(color);
     win.attron(color);
     #win.mvprintw(x, y, "%-40s" % text);
@@ -436,242 +248,7 @@ end
     win.attroff(color);
     win.refresh
   end
-  # prints error in footer_win only
-  def print_error(text)
-    clear_error
-    print_in_middle(@footer_win, LINEONE, 10, 80, text, Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(ERROR_COLOR_PAIR))
-  end
-  # prints status in footer_win only
-  def print_status(text)
-    text = text[text.length-80..-1] if text.length > 80
-    print_error(text)
-  end
-  # clear previous error, call inside getch loop after each ch.
-  def clear_error
-    print_this(@footer_win, "%-*s" % [Ncurses.COLS," "], 5, LINEONE, 0)
-  end
-  # This is only for the menu program, in which we print current action/menu string in the
-  # key labels below.
-  # Its a dirty hack edpending on:
-  #   * String CurRow present in key labels
-  #   * field_init_proc called this method to set it.
-  def print_action(text)
-    print_this(@footer_win, " %-10s" % ("["+text+"]"), FOOTER_COLOR_PAIR, @action_posy, @action_posx)
-  end
-
-  # the old historical program which prints a string in middle of whereever
-  # thanks to this i was using stdscr which must never be used
-
-  def print_in_middle(win, starty, startx, width, string, color)
-    if(win == nil)
-       raise "window is nil"
-    end
-    x = Array.new
-    y = Array.new
-    Ncurses.getyx(win, y, x);
-    if(startx != 0)
-      x[0] = startx;
-    end
-    if(starty != 0)
-      y[0] = starty;
-    end
-    if(width == 0)
-      width = 80;
-    end
-    length = string.length;
-    temp = (width - length)/ 2;
-    x[0] = startx + temp.floor;
-    win.attron(color);
-    win.mvprintw(y[0], x[0], "%s", string);
-    win.attroff(color);
-    win.refresh();
-  end
-  # splits that bad hack array into even and odd arrays
-  # and prints on last 2 lines
-
-  def print_key_labels(posy, posx, arr)
-      ## paint so-called key bindings from key_labels
-      posx = 0
-      even = []
-      odd = []
-      arr.each_index { |i| 
-        if i % 2 == 0
-          even << arr[i]
-        else
-          odd << arr[i]
-        end
-      }
-      posy = LINEONE+1
-      print_key_labels_row(posy, posx, even)
-      posy = LINEONE+2
-      print_key_labels_row(posy, posx, odd)
-      # 2008-09-29 21:58 
-      @footer_win.wrefresh   # needed else secod row not shown after askchoice XXX
-  end
-    
-  def print_key_labels_row(posy, posx, arr)
-    #clear first
-    my_form_win = @footer_win
-    # first clear the line
-    print_this(my_form_win, "%-*s" % [Ncurses.COLS," "], FOOTER_COLOR_PAIR, posy, 0)
-    padding = 8
-    padding = 4 if arr.length > 5
-    padding = 0 if arr.length > 7
-    arr.each_index { |i| 
-          kl = arr[i].split('~')
-          if kl[0].strip !="" # don't print that white blank space for fillers
-            color_pair=2
-            my_form_win.attron(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(color_pair))
-            my_form_win.mvprintw(posy, posx, "%s" % kl[0] );
-            my_form_win.attroff(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(color_pair))
-          end
-          color_pair=FOOTER_COLOR_PAIR
-          posx = posx + kl[0].length 
-          my_form_win.attron(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(color_pair))
-          lab = sprintf(" %s %*s" , kl[1], padding, " ");
-          # hack
-          if kl[1].strip == "CurRow"
-            @action_posx = posx
-            @action_posy = posy
-          end 
-          my_form_win.mvprintw(posy, posx, lab)
-          my_form_win.attroff(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(color_pair))
-          posx = posx +  lab.length
-      }
-  end
-
-  # since it must always be @header_win, we should remove the first param
-  # why should user have any direct access to those 2 windows.
-  def old_print_header(win, htext, posy = 0, posx = 0)
-    win.attron(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(6))
-    win.mvprintw(posy, posx, "%-*s" % [Ncurses.COLS, htext] );
-    win.attroff(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(6))
-  end
-  def print_header(htext, posy = 0, posx = 0)
-    win = @header_win
-    win.attron(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(6))
-    win.mvprintw(posy, posx, "%-*s" % [Ncurses.COLS, htext] );
-    win.attroff(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(6))
-  end
-
-  # since it must always be @header_win, we should remove the first param
-  # why should user have any direct access to those 2 windows.
-  def old_print_top_right(win, htext)
-    hlen = htext.length
-    win.attron(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(6))
-    win.mvprintw(0, Ncurses.COLS-hlen, htext );
-    win.attroff(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(6))
-    #win.refresh
-  end
-  def print_top_right(htext)
-    hlen = htext.length
-    win = @header_win
-    win.attron(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(6))
-    win.mvprintw(0, Ncurses.COLS-hlen, htext );
-    win.attroff(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(6))
-    #win.refresh
-  end
-  # prints labels defined by user in the DSL. 
-  #
-  # Array of labels with:
-  #
-  #     * position = [y,x] i.e, row, column
-  #     * text = "label text"
-  #     * color_pair = 6 (optional, default 6)
-
-  def print_screen_labels(my_form_win, labelarr)
-    table_width = @table_width || Ncurses.LINES-1
-    return if labelarr.nil?
-      labelarr.each{ |lhash|
-        posy, posx = lhash["position"]
-        posy = table_width + posy if posy < 0
-        posx = Ncurses.COLS + posy if posx < 0
-
-        text = lhash["text"]
-        color_pair = lhash["color_pair"] || 6
-        my_form_win.attron(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(color_pair))
-        my_form_win.mvprintw(posy, posx, "%-s" % text );
-        my_form_win.attroff(Ncurses.COLOR_PAIR(color_pair))
-      }
-  end
-
-  @deprecated
-  def print_headers(form_hash)
-    header = form_hash["header"]
-    header_top_left = form_hash["header_top_left"] || ""
-    header_top_center = form_hash["header_top_center"] || ""
-    header_top_right = form_hash["header_top_right"] || ""
-    posy = 0
-    posx = 0
-    htext = "  <APP NAME>  <VERSION>          MAIN MENU"
 
-    posy, posx, htext = header if !header.nil?
-    print_header(htext + " %15s " % header_top_left + " %20s" % header_top_center , posy, posx)
-    print_top_right(header_top_right)
-    @header_win.wrefresh();
-  end
- 
-
-  #   2008-10-09 18:27 askyesno and ask_string can be passed some text
-  #   to be popped up when a user enters ?
-  @deprecated
-  def print_footer_help(helptext)
-    print_this(@footer_win, "%-*s" % [Ncurses.COLS," "], 6, LINEONE+1, 0)
-    print_this(@footer_win, "%-*s" % [Ncurses.COLS," "], 6, LINEONE+2, 0)
-    print_this(@footer_win, "%s" % helptext, 6, LINEONE+1, 0)
-    sleep(5)
-  end
-  def print_help_page(filename = "TODO")
-    #require 'panelreader' obsolete used FORN and fiELD
-    #tp = PanelReader.new()
-    #tp.view_file(filename)
-    
-  end
-  #def newaskyesno(win, askstr, default = "N", helptext="Helptext for this question")
-  ## 
-  # user may pass in actions for each key along with other config values in config hash.
-  # config can contain default, helptext, labels and 'y', 'n'
-  @deprecated
-  def newaskyesno(win, askstr, config = {})
-    win ||= @footer_win
-    default = config.fetch("default", "N")
-    helptext = config.fetch("helptext", "This is helptext for this action")
-    askstr = "#{askstr} [#{default}]: "
-    len = askstr.length
-
-    clear_error # 2008-10-13 20:26 
-    print_this(win, askstr, 4, LINEONE, 0)
-    labels=config.fetch("labels", ["?~Help  "," ~      ", "N~No    ", "Y~Yes   "])
-    print_key_labels( 0, 0, labels)
-    win.refresh
-    yn=''
-    #win.mvwgetnstr(Ncurses.LINES-3,askstr.length,yn,maxlen)
-    while true
-      ch=win.mvwgetch(LINEONE,askstr.length)
-      if ch < 0 || ch > 255
-        next
-      end
-      yn = ch.chr
-      yn = default if yn == '' or ch == 10 # KEY_ENTER
-      yn.downcase!
-      break if yn =~/[yn]/
-      if yn == '?'
-        print_footer_help(helptext) 
-        print_key_labels( 0, 0, labels)
-        next
-      end
-      Ncurses.beep
-    end # while
-
-    begin
-      config[yn].call if config.include? yn 
-    ensure
-      restore_application_key_labels # must be done after using print_key_labels
-      win.refresh
-    end
-
-    return yn == 'y' 
-  end
 
   #
   # warn user: currently flashes and places error in log file
@@ -885,6 +462,7 @@ end
     # @see display_new - it presents in a much better manner
     # and is not restricted to one row. Avoid this.
     def display win, r, c, color
+      raise "Please use display_new, i've replace this with that"
       # FIXME use a oneline window, user should not have to give all this crap.
       # What about panning if we can;t fit, should we use horiz list to show ?
       menu = @options