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# Save and restore terminal/screen content

---- dataentry snipplet ---- snipplet_tags: terminal, restore screen LastUpdate_dt: 2010-07-31 Contributors: Greg Wooledge type: snipplet

This cool hack uses the terminal capabilities (see `terminfo(5)` manual) smcup and rmcup to save and restore the terminal content.

For sure, you've already seen those programs that restore the terminal contents after they did their work (like `vim`).

    # save, clear screen
    tput smcup
    clear

    # example "application" follows...
    read -n1 -p "Press any key to continue..."
    # example "application" ends here

    # restore
    tput rmcup

November 7, 2024
November 7, 2024

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