---
name: "legacy"
section: "3ncurses"
platform: "linux"
package: "ncurses-doc"
version: "6.5+20250216-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/legacy"
---

# legacy(3ncurses)

get curses cursor and window coordinates or attributes (legacy)

## NAME

**getattrs**, **getbegx**, **getbegy**, **getcurx**, **getcury**, **getmaxx**, **getmaxy**, **getparx**, **getpary** - get *curses* cursor and window coordinates or attributes (legacy)

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <curses.h>
```

**int getattrs(const WINDOW \****win***);**

**int getbegx(const WINDOW \****win***);** **int getbegy(const WINDOW \****win***);**

**int getcurx(const WINDOW \****win***);** **int getcury(const WINDOW \****win***);**

**int getmaxx(const WINDOW \****win***);** **int getmaxy(const WINDOW \****win***);**

**int getparx(const WINDOW \****win***);** **int getpary(const WINDOW \****win***);**

## DESCRIPTION

**These legacy functions are simpler to use** **than the X/Open** *curses* **functions:**

- •

  **The getattrs function returns the same attribute data** **as wattr\_get.**

-

  **However, getattrs returns an integer (actually a chtype),** **while wattr\_get returns the current color pair in a separate parameter.** **In the wide-character library configuration,** **color pairs may not fit into a chtype,** **so wattr\_get is the only way to obtain the color information.**

-

  **Because getattrs returns the attributes in a single parameter,** **it would not be possible for an application to distinguish that from** **ERR (a** *-1***).** **If the window parameter is null, getattrs** **returns A\_NORMAL (zero).**

- •

  **The getbegy and getbegx functions return the same** **data as getbegyx.**

- •

  **The getcury and getcurx functions return the same** **data as getyx.**

- •

  **The getmaxy and getmaxx functions return the same** **data as getmaxyx.**

- •

  **The getpary and getparx functions return the same** **data as getparyx.**

## RETURN VALUE

**Except as noted,** **these functions return an integer,** **or ERR if the window parameter is null.**

## PORTABILITY

**These functions were supported on Version 7, BSD or System V implementations.** **None of those implementations checked the window parameter.**

**The getattrs function and macro are defined to return a (signed) integer** **for compatibility with those implementations** **although an unsigned type would have been more appropriate.**

## SEE ALSO

**ncurses(3NCURSES),** **getyx(3NCURSES),** **opaque(3NCURSES)**