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

# legacy\_coding(3x)

use terminal's default colors

## NAME

**use\_legacy\_coding** - use terminal's default colors

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<curses.h\>**

**int use\_legacy\_coding(int level);**

## DESCRIPTION

The *use\_legacy\_coding()* function is an extension to the curses library. It allows the caller to change the result of **unctrl**, and suppress related checks within the library that would normally cause nonprinting characters to be rendered in visible form. This affects only 8-bit characters.

The *level* parameter controls the result:

- 0

  the library functions normally, rendering nonprinting characters as described in **unctrl**.

- 1

  the library ignores **isprintf** for codes in the range 160-255.

- 2

  the library ignores **isprintf** for codes in the range 128-255. It also modifies the output of **unctrl**, showing codes in the range 128-159 as is.

## RETURN VALUE

If the screen has not been initialized, or the *level* parameter is out of range, the function returns **ERR**. Otherwise, it returns the previous level: **0**, **1** or **2**.

## PORTABILITY

This routine is specific to ncurses. It was not supported on Version 7, BSD or System V implementations. It is recommended that any code depending on ncurses extensions be conditioned using NCURSES\_VERSION.

## SEE ALSO

**unctrl**.

## AUTHOR

Thomas Dickey (to support lynx's font-switching feature).