Q68874: Using ANSI.SYS Escape Codes with printf() for Screen Control

Article: Q68874
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 3.x 4.x 5.x 6.00 6.00a | 5.10 6.00 6.00a
Operating System(s): MS-DOS | OS/2
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | s_quickc | mspl13_c
Last Modified: 6-FEB-1991

The DOS ANSI.SYS driver may be used to perform screen control
functions in printf() output. Setting screen attributes, positioning
the cursor to a row and column, and clearing the screen are some
examples of functions that may be done with this driver using the
correct escape sequences.

The ANSI.SYS driver must be loaded from CONFIG.SYS in order for these
functions to work correctly. All of the sequences start with the
escape code "\33" (representing the value for escape in octal),
followed by the appropriate set of characters needed to perform the
desired function.

This topic is discussed in detail on pages 224-225 in the Microsoft
Press book "Variations in C."

The following sample code demonstrates some of these functions:

Sample Code
-----------

#include <stdio.h>

void main( void)
{
   int row = 10;
   int col = 20;
   int num = 1;

   printf( "\33[2J");                // clears the screen

   printf( "\33[%d;%dH", row, col);  // positions the cursor at row 10,
                                     // column 20

   printf( "\33[%dA", num);          // moves the cursor up 1 line

   printf( "\33[%dB", num);          // moves the cursor down 1 line

   printf( "\33[7m");                // sets the attribute to reverse
                                     // video
}

There are other sequences available. Information about them may be
found in DOS manuals under the "prompt" command, or any other sections
dealing with ANSI.SYS.

Under OS/2, the ANSI driver is enabled by default for all sessions
except the Presentation Manager. To enable ANSI support in the DOS
box, a line must be added to the CONFIG.SYS file. See your OS/2
documentation for more information on the exact syntax.

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