Ineed to compile an application with ncurses library and header files. How do I install install ncurses libs and header files on a Linux operating system? How do I write a simple hello world program using the ncurses and compile it on a Linux?
GNU ncurses is software API for controlling writing to the console screen under Unix, Linux and other operating systems. You can create text-based user interfaces (TUI) on a Linux or Unix-like system using ncurseInstalling the ncurses library in Debian/Ubuntu Linuxsudo apt-get install libncurses5-dev libncursesw5-dev
(https://pix.cobrasoft.org/images/2023/01/16/img4.png)
Installing the ncurses library in CentOS/RHEL/Scientific Linux 6.x/7.x+ and Fedora Linux 21 or older
You need to install the following package:
ncurses-devel : Developer's libraries for ncurses
Open the Terminal application.
Type the following yum command to install ncurses header and libs:sudo yum install ncurses-devel
(https://pix.cobrasoft.org/image/6A0C)
Installing the ncurses library in Fedora Linux 22.x+
You need to install the following package:
ncurses-devel : Developer's libraries for ncurses
Open the Terminal application.
Type the following dnf command to install ncurses header and libs:
sudo dnf install ncurses-develHow do compile C program and use the ncurses library?Quote#include <ncurses.h>
int main(void){
initscr(); /* Start curses mode */
printw("Hello World! Press any key to exit ..."); /* Print Hello World */
refresh(); /* Print it on to the real screen */
getch(); /* Wait for user input */
endwin(); /* End curses mode */
return 0;
}
First, make sure you install GNU/GCC C compiler on a Linux:
CentOS / RHEL 7: Install GCC (C and C++ Compiler) and Development Tools
Debian Linux Install GNU GCC Compiler and Development EnvironmentTo link to the ncurses library pass the -lncurses option to gcc/cc command:$ cc -o output input.c -lncurses
$ cc -o hello hello.c -lncurses
Run it:
$ ./hello
Sample outputs:
Hello World! Press any key to exit ...
/*
CURWIN1.C
=========
(c) Copyright Paul Griffiths 1999
Email: mail@paulgriffiths.net
Moving windows with ncurses.
*/
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <curses.h>
int main(void) {
WINDOW * mainwin, * childwin;
int ch;
/* Set the dimensions and initial
position for our child window */
int width = 23, height = 7;
int rows = 25, cols = 80;
int x = (cols - width) / 2;
int y = (rows - height) / 2;
/* Initialize ncurses */
if ( (mainwin = initscr()) == NULL ) {
fprintf(stderr, "Error initialising ncurses.\n");
exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
}
/* Switch of echoing and enable keypad (for arrow keys) */
noecho();
keypad(mainwin, TRUE);
/* Make our child window, and add
a border and some text to it. */
childwin = subwin(mainwin, height, width, y, x);
box(childwin, 0, 0);
mvwaddstr(childwin, 1, 4, "Move the window");
mvwaddstr(childwin, 2, 2, "with the arrow keys");
mvwaddstr(childwin, 3, 6, "or HOME/END");
mvwaddstr(childwin, 5, 3, "Press 'q' to quit");
refresh();
/* Loop until user hits 'q' to quit */
while ( (ch = getch()) != 'q' ) {
switch ( ch ) {
case KEY_UP:
if ( y > 0 )
--y;
break;
case KEY_DOWN:
if ( y < (rows - height) )
++y;
break;
case KEY_LEFT:
if ( x > 0 )
--x;
break;
case KEY_RIGHT:
if ( x < (cols - width) )
++x;
break;
case KEY_HOME:
x = 0;
y = 0;
break;
case KEY_END:
x = (cols - width);
y = (rows - height);
break;
}
mvwin(childwin, y, x);
wrefresh(childwin);
}
/* Clean up after ourselves */
delwin(childwin);
delwin(mainwin);
endwin();
refresh();
return EXIT_SUCCESS;
}
Compile and run it as follows:
$ cc -o curwin1 curwin1.c -lncurses
$ ./curwin1
QuoteThis entry is 10 of 13 in the Linux GNU/GCC Compilers Tutorial series. Keep reading the rest of the series:
Ubuntu Linux Install GNU GCC Compiler and Development Environment
Debian Linux Install GNU GCC Compiler and Development Environment
CentOS / RHEL 7: Install GCC (C and C++ Compiler) and Development Tools
Download and Install C, C++ Compiler on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 (RHEL)
Mac OS X: Install GCC Compiler with Xcode
Where is My Linux GNU C or GCC Compilers Are Installed?
HowTo: Compile And Run a C/C++ Code In Linux
RHEL / CentOS Linux Install Core Development Tools Automake, Gcc (C/C++), Perl, Python & Debuggers
HowTo Compiling C Program And Creating Executable File Under a Linux / UNIX / *BSD
QuoteHow To Install ncurses Library on a Linux
Linux Find Out What Compilers Are Installed or Available On The System
Linux Find Out GNU gcc Compiler Version Used To Compile Running Kernel
Howto see output of C program in Linux or UNIX