network-programmingtclexpectsystem-administration

Expect script arrow keys

I didn't know that how to send arrow keys using expect, hence I generated autoexpect script for all the arrow keys and found out that autoexpect generates this character for right arrow key:

send -- "^[\[C"

I used the same send command in my custom script and I'm getting a following error:

while executing
"send -- "^[\[C"
expect eof
"
    (file "script_auto.exp" line 38)

What exactly shall I do to send the right arrow key. Any help would be appreciated.

Solution

  • "^[\[C" is an invalid string in Tcl. ^[ should be the ESC char which is \033. So try this:

    send "\033\[C"

    UPDATE:

    The safest way to get the correct RIGHT ARROW key for current terminal (as in $TERM) is to use tput:

    [bash] # v=$(tput cuf1)
[bash] # printf '%q\n' "$v"
$'\E[C'
[bash] #

    To know what cuf1 means, run man terminfo and search for it. :)