resize-term

Small Python tool without any dependency to adapt a shell session on a serial terminal to the correct window size.

This tool is a replacement for the resize tool from the xterm code base and fixes the common problem of garbled output on the command line when running a serial shell session in a non 80x24 terminal.

It works by using Escape sequences interpreted by the terminal to read out the number of columns and lines. First the cursor position is saved, then the cursor is moved to line 999 and column 999. This movement will be truncated by the terminal to the maximum allowed amount. The terminal is then instructed to output the current cursor position and the result is parsed and set as the current window size with TIOCSWINSZ. Finally the cursor is restored to its original position.

The running shell will pick up the changed window size before the next prompt and adjust the environment variables LINES and COLUMNS accordingly. This way it is not neccesary to do the old

$ eval `resize`

dance but simply execute the tool.

Terminal Emulators known to work correctly:

• Gnome Terminal
• XTerm