[comp.windows.x] Open Windows cmdtool on an X terminal?

fwp1@CC.MsState.Edu (Frank Peters) (12/15/90)

We are having a problem with running the X cmdtool application shipped
with SunOS 4.1.1 on an x terminal managed by Xdm.

The problem is this:  If you log in to a workstation and run X (either
xnews or Xsun) then the window manager inherits the controlling
terminal (/dev/console).  Cmdtools started from the window manager
directly (from a menu) start fine.

But if the window manager is started by Xdm it has no controlling
terminal.  And a cmdtool started from the same menu will open a
windowbut not display a shell prompt.  Poking around a ps listing
reveals that the cmdtool started this way is not associated with a
terminal.  Xterms start with no problem from this environment.  And
you can then start a cmdtool from within the xterm.

Playing around with a daemon skeleton program convinces me that the
problem is indeed the fact that cmdtool fails to acquire a terminal if
it doesn't inherit one from its parent.

I have confirmed that this problem appears with both twm and olwm.

Does anyone have cmdtools working correctly when started from the
window manager when using an x terminal?

We have users who don't like xterms and don't want to have to go
through one to get at their cmdtool.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I don't have xview source but I
could get it if absolutely necessary.

Thanks,
FWP
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Frank Peters   Internet:  fwp1@CC.MsState.Edu         Bitnet:  FWP1@MsState
               Phone:     (601)325-2942               FAX:     (601)325-8921