Subject: VMS conventions/command line history
To: port-mac68k mailing list <port-mac68k@NetBSD.ORG>
From: Steve Revilak <revilak@umbsky.cc.umb.edu>
List: port-mac68k
Date: 03/27/1998 13:12:00
Having worked in VMS environments, there is one VMS convention (also exists
in DOS) regarding command line history whose Unix equivalent I'd love to
know.

The 'up' arrow-- on VMS systems would cycle backwards through the command
history, *without* executing the line.  (ie--as if you had re-typed the
line without pressing <return>.  Useful for dealing with typos, etc.  I'm
familiar with 'history' and !!, !*, and ![command-number], but these all
re-execute the command, not allowing changes. (ie--type the command line,
followed by <return>).

On a related note, quick question regarding terminal types--arrow keys in
general.  I have my terminal type set to vt100, which allows the arrow keys
to work properly in vi, but on command lines, pressing them yeilds a
control-character combination.  Is this the norm?

Thanks in advance!

Steve Revilak
revilak@umbsky.cc.umb.edu