[net.micro] Wyse WY-50 Block Editing

billfoy@aero.ARPA (Bill Foy) (09/12/85)

I am seeking advice on the use of a Wyse WY-50 terminal in the 
block edit mode.  I am in the process of writing a program which 
includes editing of a data base and it seems that the smart thing to do
would be to take advantage of the terminal's editing capabilities,
presenting a write-protected template with unprotected fields for the
user to fill in. The manual, however, gives listings of escape sequences 
and control characters with essentially no discussion on how to use the 
terminal and I am getting nowhere fast.  
     I have asked a number of people about using the terminal's editing
capabilities and consistently get agreement that it is probably a good
idea to use the block editing feature, but that they don't know anyone
who knows how.  I believe that the block editing feature is essentially
the same as for the the Televideo 925, so there must be somone out there
who knows about this and can enlighten me.  References to literature
that discusses the subject, as well as progammming advice would be
greatly appreciated.  Responses can be directed to me at the following
address. 

		billfoy@aero.ARPA
		Bill Foy M4/934
		The Aerospace Corporation
		P.O. Box 92957
		L.A., CA 90009
		(213) 648-7273

     I will be happy to forward responses to any who express an interest.
I am new to the net, so if I am repeating what has already been 
addressed on the net, please accept my apologies.

Thanks in advance.  

Bill Foy

dhp@ihnp3.UUCP (Douglas H. Price) (09/17/85)

What you are suggesting is reasonable exept for one thing, block mode
transmission and UNIX don't mix very well.  I was once called in to fix
a block mode terminal application on a microcomputer based UNIX installation,
only to find out that the terminal overran UNIX's buffering when transmitting
the screen back to the host.  This was the case with a Televideo 925.  
I don't have the specs for a WYSE-50 in front of me, but I would suggest
that you:

	1. transmit only the changed fields back to the host.

	2. option the terminal to honor flow control (i.e., ^S/^Q).

The TVI925 wasn't smart enough to do the second item, and a moderate load
on the machine (like daily tape backups) would just about guarantee lost
characters.
-- 
						Douglas H. Price
						Analysts International Corp.
						@ AT&T Bell Laboratories
						..!ihnp4!ihnp3!dhp