---
name: "item_description"
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/item_description"
---

# item\_description(3)

get menu item name and description fields

## NAME

**item\_name**, **item\_description** - get menu item name and description fields

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <menu.h>
```

**const char \*item\_name(const ITEM \****item***);** **const char \*item\_description(const ITEM \****item***);**

## DESCRIPTION

**The function item\_name returns the name part of the given item.**\
 **The function item\_description returns the description part of the given** **item.**

## RETURN VALUE

**These routines return a pointer (which may be** *NULL*). **They do not set errno.**

## PORTABILITY

**These routines emulate the System V menu 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),** **menu(3X)**