---
name: "curs_beep"
section: "3x"
platform: "macos"
package: "ncurses"
version: "79"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["linux", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/curs_beep/3x"
---

# curs\_beep(3x)

curses bell and screen flash routines

## NAME

**beep**, **flash** - **curses** bell and screen flash routines

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<curses.h\>**

**int beep(void);**\
 **int flash(void);**\

## DESCRIPTION

The **beep** and **flash** routines are used to alert the terminal user. The routine **beep** sounds an audible alarm on the terminal, if possible; otherwise it flashes the screen (visible bell).  The routine **flash** flashes the screen, and if that is not possible, sounds the alert.  If neither alert is possible, nothing happens.  Nearly all terminals have an audible alert (bell or beep), but only some can flash the screen.

## RETURN VALUE

These routines return **OK** if they succeed in beeping or flashing, **ERR** otherwise.

## EXTENSIONS

SVr4's beep and flash routines always returned **OK**, so it was not possible to tell when the beep or flash failed.

## PORTABILITY

These functions are described in the XSI Curses standard, Issue 4. Like SVr4, it specifies that they always return **OK**.

## SEE ALSO

**curses**(3X)