---
name: "field_count"
section: "3x"
platform: "linux"
package: "ncurses"
version: "6.6-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/form_field/3x"
---

# field\_count(3x)

make and break connections between fields and forms

Part of [form\_field(3x)](/form_field/3x.md).

## NAME

**form\_field** - make and break connections between fields and forms

## SYNOPSIS

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

**int set\_form\_fields(FORM \****form***, FIELD \*\****fields***);** **FIELD \*\*form\_fields(const FORM \****form***);** **int field\_count(const FORM \****form***);** **int move\_field(FIELD \****field***, int** *frow***, int** *fcol***);**

## DESCRIPTION

**The function set\_form\_fields changes the field pointer array of** **the given** *form***.  The array must be terminated by a** *NULL*.

**The function form\_fields returns the field array of the given form.**

**The function field\_count returns the count of fields in** *form***.**

**The function move\_field moves the given field (which must be disconnected)** **to a specified location on the screen.**

## RETURN VALUE

**The function form\_fields returns a pointer (which may be** *NULL*). **It does not set errno.**

**The function field\_count returns ERR if the** *form* **parameter is** *NULL*.

**The functions set\_form\_fields and move\_field return one of** **the following codes on error:**

- **E\_OK**

  **The routine succeeded.**

- **E\_BAD\_ARGUMENT**

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

- **E\_CONNECTED**

  **The field is already connected to a form.**

- **E\_POSTED**

  **The form is already posted.**

- **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.**

**The SVr4 forms library documentation specifies the field\_count error value** **as -1 (which is the value of ERR).**

## AUTHORS

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

## SEE ALSO

**curses(3X),** **form(3X)**