---
name: "field_back"
section: "3"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/field_back"
---

# field\_back(3)

color and attribute control for form fields

## NAME

**form\_field\_attributes** - color and attribute control for form fields

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <form.h>
```

**int set\_field\_fore(FIELD \****field***, chtype** *attr***);** **chtype field\_fore(const FIELD \****field***);**

**int set\_field\_back(FIELD \****field***, chtype** *attr***);** **chtype field\_back(const FIELD \****field***);**

**int set\_field\_pad(FIELD \****field***, int** *pad***);** **int field\_pad(const FIELD \****field***);**

## DESCRIPTION

**The function set\_field\_fore sets the foreground attribute of** *field***. This is the highlight used to display the field contents.  The** **function field\_fore returns the foreground attribute.** **The default is** **A\_STANDOUT.**

**The function set\_field\_back sets the background attribute of** *form***. This is the highlight used to display the extent fields in the** **form.** **The function field\_back returns the background attribute.** **The** **default is A\_NORMAL.**

**The function set\_field\_pad sets the character used to fill the field.** **The function field\_pad returns the given form's pad character.** **The** **default is a blank.**

## RETURN VALUE

**These routines return one of the following:**

- **E\_OK**

  **The routine succeeded.**

- **E\_BAD\_ARGUMENT**

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

- **E\_SYSTEM\_ERROR**

  **System error occurred (see [errno(3)](/errno/3.md)).**

## PORTABILITY

**These routines emulate the System V forms library.** **They were not supported on** **Version 7 or BSD versions.**

## AUTHORS

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

## SEE ALSO

**curses(3X) and related pages whose names begin “form\_”** **for detailed descriptions of the entry points.**