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

# menu\_items(3x)

make and break connections between items and menus

## NAME

**set\_menu\_items**, **menu\_items**, **item\_count** - make and break connections between items and menus

## SYNOPSIS

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

**int set\_menu\_items(MENU \****menu***, ITEM \*\****items***);** **ITEM \*\*menu\_items(const MENU \****menu***);** **int item\_count(const MENU \****menu***);**

## DESCRIPTION

**The function set\_menu\_items changes the item pointer array of the given** *menu***.  The array must be terminated by a** *NULL*.

**The function menu\_items returns the item array of the given menu.**

**The function item\_count returns the count of items in** *menu***.**

## RETURN VALUE

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

**The function item\_count returns ERR (the general curses error** **return value) if its** *menu* **parameter is** *NULL .*

**The function set\_menu\_items returns 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\_NOT\_CONNECTED**

  **No items are connected to the menu.**

- **E\_POSTED**

  **The menu is already posted.**

- **E\_SYSTEM\_ERROR**

  **System error occurred (see [errno(3)](/errno/3.md)).**

## PORTABILITY

**These routines emulate the System V menu library.** **They were not supported on** **Version 7 or BSD versions.**

**The SVr4 menu library documentation specifies the item\_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),** **menu(3X)**