[an error occurred while processing this directive]

HP OpenVMS Systems

ask the wizard
Content starts here

Escape and control sequences?

» close window

The Question is:

 
My question is around edit.  Can you please tell me or point me to where I can
 find out how to add escape or control sequences to a file using the edit?  I
 used to know what keystrokes to use and how to do it but it has been a long
 time since I have done
it and I can't figure out how to put the esc or ctrl in the strings.  I found
 documentation on how to do it in DCL but not within edit.
 
Thank you,
Chris
 


The Answer is :

 
  The OpenVMS Wizard cannot and does not recommend direct insertion
  of the escape character into a file.  Techniques such as those
  described in the OpenVMS FAQ -- loading the value at run-time,
  either using the technique shown in the FAQ or techniques in
  programs that use the SMG dictionary of sequences -- are strongly
  recommended.  This because it avoids problems when the file is
  later editted, and problems that can arise when the sequence
  differs among various devices.  (The SMG dictionary of sequences
  is especially useful here, and can be used even if SMG itself
  is not being used for display control.  See SMG$GET_TERM_DATA.)
 
  For discussions of escape and control sequences, please see
  the OpenVMS FAQ.
 
  If you really want to cause yourself maintenance problenms by
  embedding the literal escape character or other control character
  into a file, please see the SPECINS keypad sequence.  In EDT,
  SPECINS is PF1-KP3.  For details on EDT and specifically on SPECINS,
  please read the available EDT documentation.  The EDT manual is
  available among the archived documentation section posted at the
  OpenVMS documentation website -- please see the OpenVMS FAQ for
  pointers to the documentation website.
 
  Other editors (such as EVE) will use CTRL/V as a quote character
  for control characters, and you would then immediately follow the
  CTRL/V with the desired control character using its associated
  CTRL/key sequence.  For details, please see the EVE documentation
  for QUOTE and CTRL/V.
 

answer written or last revised on ( 22-JUN-2002 )

» close window