Raw Terminal
raw_mode_enter() disables line buffering and echo, allowing character-by-character input. read_byte() reads a single byte. Always call raw_mode_exit() to restore the terminal. This is how nyx-edit implements its text editor.
Code
// Raw terminal — reading keypresses without line buffering
// Terminal raw — leer teclas sin buffer de línea
fn main() -> int {
// Check if we have a terminal
if not isatty(0) {
print("not a terminal — skipping raw mode demo")
print("run interactively to see keypress reading")
return 0
}
print("terminal size: " + int_to_string(term_cols()) + "x" + int_to_string(term_rows()))
print("press any key (or 'q' to quit):")
// Enter raw mode — disables echo and line buffering
raw_mode_enter()
var running: bool = true
while running {
let byte: int = read_byte()
if byte == 113 {
// 'q' pressed
running = false
} else {
// In raw mode, we need to manually handle output
print("key: " + int_to_string(byte))
}
}
// Always restore terminal state
raw_mode_exit()
print("raw mode exited")
return 0
}Output
not a terminal — skipping raw mode demo run interactively to see keypress reading
Explanation
raw_mode_enter() puts the terminal into raw mode by disabling canonical (line-buffered) input and echo. In this mode, each keypress is available immediately via read_byte() without waiting for Enter.
read_byte() reads a single byte from stdin, returning its integer value. ASCII 113 is the character 'q'. Special keys like arrows produce escape sequences (multiple bytes starting with 27).
raw_mode_exit() restores the terminal to its previous state. You should always call this before exiting, even on error — otherwise the terminal will remain in raw mode and become unusable. term_cols() and term_rows() return the current terminal dimensions.