set xterm

Synopsis

/set xterm [<program>]
/set -xterm

Default: xterm. With no program, set displays the current value. Unsetting falls back to the literal program name xterm when no environment override exists; it does not disable terminal creation.

Description

Selects the X terminal program used by window create when it chooses the Xterm backend. EPIC first checks the XTERM environment variable, then this setting, then the literal xterm fallback. The environment variable takes precedence even if its value is empty.

The selected program must support the launcher argument structure:

<program> -geometry <columns>x<rows> <xterm_options> -e <wserv_path> localhost <port>

EPIC derives geometry from the existing screen, adding one to its stored column count. Additional arguments come from xterm_options; wserv_path selects the compatible helper. Choosing another terminal program works only if it accepts this invocation style.

Path handling and effects

The program value is a single executable name or pathname, not a shell command. It is passed to execvp, which can search PATH for a name without a slash. Do not put switches in this value: they are not split from the program name. The launch step does not expand a tilde or interpret shell operators in it.

Changing the setting does not launch a terminal immediately or affect existing screens. It is ignored when creation selects Screen or tmux. Backend selection depends on the environment and wserv_type; setting xterm alone does not force an Xterm launch.

EPIC does not validate the executable on assignment. Creation requires foreground operation, the selected program, an available display, and a compatible helper. Failure to launch or connect the helper is handled during creation and can lead to a connection timeout. This setting sends no IRC request.

Example

/set xterm xterm
/window create

This uses the configured name only if no XTERM environment override is present and the Xterm backend is selected. For a terminal installed outside the executable search path, supply its actual absolute pathname instead.

Source references

• source/vars.c and include/config.h: string registration and xterm default.
• source/screen.c: create_additional_screen selects the backend and program, constructs geometry and helper arguments, executes with execvp, and waits for helper connections.