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(libc.info)Special Characters

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Special Characters
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   In canonical input, the terminal driver recognizes a number of
special characters which perform various control functions.  These
include the ERASE character (usually <DEL>) for editing input, and
other editing characters.  The INTR character (normally `C-c') for
sending a `SIGINT' signal, and other signal-raising characters, may be
available in either canonical or noncanonical input mode.  All these
characters are described in this section.

   The particular characters used are specified in the `c_cc' member of
the `struct termios' structure.  This member is an array; each element
specifies the character for a particular role.  Each element has a
symbolic constant that stands for the index of that element--for
example, `VINTR' is the index of the element that specifies the INTR
character, so storing `'='' in `TERMIOS.c_cc[VINTR]' specifies `=' as
the INTR character.

   On some systems, you can disable a particular special character
function by specifying the value `_POSIX_VDISABLE' for that role.  This
value is unequal to any possible character code.  Note: Options for
Files, for more information about how to tell whether the operating
system you are using supports `_POSIX_VDISABLE'.

Editing Characters

Special characters that terminate lines and

delete text, and other editing functions.

Signal Characters

Special characters that send or raise signals

to or for certain classes of processes.

Start/Stop Characters

Special characters that suspend or resume

suspended output.

Other Special

Other special characters for BSD systems:

they can discard output, and print status.