# menu_pattern 3x

    menu_pattern(3x)                                              menu_pattern(3x)

## NAME

           set_menu_pattern, menu_pattern - set and get a menu's pattern buffer

## SYNOPSIS

           #include <menu.h>
           int set_menu_pattern(MENU *menu, const char *pattern);
           char *menu_pattern(const MENU *menu);

## DESCRIPTION

           Every  menu  has  an  associated pattern match buffer.  As input events
           that are printable characters come in, they are appended to this  match
           buffer and tested for a match, as described in menu_driver(3x).

           The  function  set_menu_pattern  sets  the pattern buffer for the given
           menu and tries to find the first matching item.  If it  succeeds,  that
           item becomes current; if not, the current item does not change.

           The function menu_pattern returns the pattern buffer of the given menu.

## RETURN VALUE

           The  function menu_pattern returns a pointer, which is NULL if the menu
           parameter is NULL.  Otherwise, it is a pointer to  a  string  which  is
           empty if no pattern has been set.  It does not set errno.

           The function set_menu_pattern may return the following error codes:

           E_OK The routine succeeded.

           E_BAD_ARGUMENT
                Routine detected an incorrect or out-of-range argument.

           E_BAD_STATE
                Routine was called from an initialization or termination function.

           E_NOT_CONNECTED
                No items are connected to menu.

           E_NO_MATCH
                Character failed to match.

           E_SYSTEM_ERROR
                System error occurred (see errno).

## SEE ALSO

           curses(3x), menu(3x).

## NOTES

           The  header  file  <menu.h>  automatically  includes  the  header  file
           <curses.h>.

## PORTABILITY

           These routines emulate the System V menu library.  They were  not  sup-
           ported on Version 7 or BSD versions.

## AUTHORS

           Juergen Pfeifer.  Manual pages and adaptation for new curses by Eric S.
           Raymond.

                                                                  menu_pattern(3x)