WINSH(1)                System General Commands Manual                WINSH(1)

NAME
     winsh - run Win32 programs through a pseudo-terminal (pty)

SYNOPSIS
     winsh program [args ...]

DESCRIPTION
     The winsh utility allows Win32 programs to run through an Interix pseudo-
     terminal (pty) that normally will not display properly. The class of
     Win32 console programs that write directly to a console's screen, rather
     than using standard input-output, cannot be run through Unix pty's
     because pty's do not have a console screen to be drawn upon. In shells
     where the result of wvisible(1) is that the window station is not visible
     winsh can be run to display screen drawing, non-GUI, Win32 programs.

     Typically this utility will be run by a user connecting to the system
     from a remote connection by telnet(1), rlogin(1) or ssh(1).  You should
     not use winsh with "console windows" (terminals on the glass; ttyn*)
     because the results may be unpredictable due to processes competing for
     key strokes.

     This utility provides a mapping from Win32 console screens to Unix termi-
     nals. The type of Unix terminal at the display end of a pty connection is
     unlimited because all terminal types with the curses(3) library are sup-
     ported. If the terminal type is not in the terminal database a new entry
     can be easily added to the terminal database.  Colour display is sup-
     ported.

     You may use the  and arrow keys to control the Win32 programs if
     they accept these controls. You may transmit an "ALT" key-press by press-
     ing the "F9" key. All other function keys will be transmited as them-
     selves. You may use the environment variable WINSH_ALT to choose another
     function key than the "F9" default.

EXAMPLES
     % winsh cmd.exe

     Runs the Win32 shell cmd.exe.

     % setenv WINSH_ALT F7

     Sets the "F7" function key to send an "ALT" key-press.

ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
     WINSH_ALT  If the environment variable WINSH_ALT is set to the name of a
                function key it will be used instead of the "F9" default. The
                default is "F9".

SEE ALSO
     curses(3), rlogin(1), runwin32(1), ssh(1), telnet(1), wvisible(1)

CAVEATS
     Some characters displayed on a Win32 console screen may display on the
     Unix terminal with an odd character choice. This can be due to a differ-
     ent character sets being used at each end of the connection.

Interix                          July 13, 2005                         Interix