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

# form\_field(3x)

make and break connections between fields and forms

## 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**).

## SEE ALSO

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

## NOTES

The header file **\<form.h\>** automatically includes the header file **\<curses.h\>**.

## 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.