How to integrate cpp-terminal into a CMake project?

CPP-Terminal's wiki provides detailed guides for various build systems. For CMake, you can clone the repository and use add_subdirectory, or install it globally. Examples in the documentation show straightforward inclusion with minimal configuration.

Is cpp-terminal better than ncurses for cross-platform development?

CPP-Terminal is superior for lightweight, dependency-free cross-platform apps with a consistent API, as it avoids ncurses' platform quirks. However, ncurses offers more features and maturity, so choose based on complexity and portability needs.

Can cpp-terminal handle mouse input in terminal apps?

The README does not explicitly mention mouse support, and examples focus on keyboard input. Given its subset approach, mouse handling is likely limited or absent compared to libraries like ncurses or FTXUI.

How to build a TUI menu with cpp-terminal?

Use the window.hpp header for managed windows or base.hpp for basic input. Examples like menu.cpp and menu_window.cpp demonstrate interactive menus with keyboard navigation and terminal resizing, providing a starting point.

Does cpp-terminal support Unicode and colors on all platforms?

Yes, it supports Unicode and colors cross-platform, as shown in the colors.cpp example. However, rendering consistency might depend on terminal emulators, especially for complex glyphs or styles.

What are the performance costs of using cpp-terminal?

CPP-Terminal follows the zero-overhead principle, minimizing performance impact by relying on the C++ STL. It's efficient for basic terminal operations, but complex TUI rendering might have overhead compared to lower-level approaches.

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cpp-terminal

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A dependency-free C++ library for writing cross-platform terminal applications with a unified API.

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What is cpp-terminal?

CPP-Terminal is a C++ library for building terminal applications that run natively on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It provides a unified API for handling terminal features like colors, keyboard input, and window management without external dependencies. The library solves the problem of platform-specific terminal code by offering a consistent, cross-platform solution.

Target Audience

C++ developers building command-line interfaces (CLIs), terminal user interfaces (TUIs), or cross-platform console applications. It's also suitable for those needing to integrate terminal functionality into GUI applications on Windows.

Value Proposition

Developers choose CPP-Terminal for its simplicity, zero-overhead design, and true cross-platform compatibility without emulation. It's a lightweight alternative to ncurses, with a small codebase that's easy to debug and extend.

Overview

C++ library for writing multiplatform terminal applications

Use Cases

Best For

Building cross-platform terminal applications in C++
Creating lightweight alternatives to ncurses-based projects
Developing terminal user interfaces (TUIs) with managed windows
Adding console functionality to Windows GUI applications
Writing educational or example terminal programs
Porting Linux-specific terminal code to Windows or macOS

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring full ncurses compatibility with advanced features like mouse support or complex screen management
Applications needing rich graphical terminal interfaces with pre-built widgets or extensive UI components
Teams that prioritize libraries with large ecosystems, active communities, or extensive third-party integrations
Developers targeting Windows versions prior to Windows 10 due to API limitations

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cross-Platform Consistency

Provides a unified API for Windows, Linux, and macOS, ensuring applications work natively without emulation, as stated in the philosophy and supported platforms table.

Dependency-Free Design

Relies only on the C++ Standard Library, minimizing footprint and simplifying integration, adhering to the zero-overhead principle emphasized in the README.

Managed TUI Windowing

Includes a fully managed terminal window system via cpp-terminal/window.hpp, enabling easy building of terminal user interfaces with examples like menu_window.cpp.

Simple Integration

Easy to add to projects with clear documentation and minimal setup, demonstrated by Hello World examples and wiki guides for various build systems.

Cons

Limited Feature Set

Offers only a subset of terminal capabilities compared to ncurses, potentially missing advanced features like mouse input or complex screen controls, as acknowledged in the philosophy.

Windows Version Restrictions

Does not support Windows versions prior to 10 due to missing Win32 API for raw mode and ANSI support, limiting backward compatibility as noted in the README's platform table.

Compiler and Standard Constraints

Requires specific compiler versions and C++ standards (e.g., C++11 or higher), which can complicate setup in diverse development environments, as shown in the supported platforms table.

Open Source Alternative To

cpp-terminal is an open-source alternative to the following products:

ncurses

ncurses is a programming library providing an API for creating text-based user interfaces in a terminal-independent manner.

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