NAME

xmessage - display a message or query in a window (X-based /bin/echo)

SYNOPSIS

xmessage [ -buttons label1[::value1],,label2[::value2],, ... ] [ options ] -file filename
xmessage [ -buttons label1[::value1],,label2[::value2],, ... ] [ options ] message ...

DESCRIPTION

The xmessage program displays a window containing a message from the command line, a file, or standard input. Along the lower edge of the message is row of buttons; clicking the left mouse button on any of these buttons will cause _x_m_e_s_s_a_g_e to exit. Which button was pressed is returned in the exit status and, optionally, by writing the label of the button to standard output.

The program is typically used by shell scripts to display information to the user or to ask the user to make a choice.

Unless a size is specified, _x_m_e_s_s_a_g_e sizes itself to fit the message, up to a maximum size. If the message is too big for the window, _x_m_e_s_s_a_g_e will display scroll bars.

OPTIONS

These are the command line options that _x_m_e_s_s_a_g_e understands.
-buttons _b_u_t_t_o_n_,_b_u_t_t_o_n_,_._._.
This option will cause _x_m_e_s_s_a_g_e to create one button for each comma-separated _b_u_t_t_o_n argument. The corresponding resource is bbuuttttoonnss. Each _b_u_t_t_o_n consists of a label optionally followed by a colon and an exit value. The label is the name of the Command button widget created and will be the default text displayed to the user. Since this is the name of the widget it may be used to change any of the resources associated with that button. The exit value will be returned by _x_m_e_s_s_a_g_e if that button is selected. The default exit value is 100 plus the button number. Buttons are numbered from the left starting with one. The default string if no --bbuuttttoonnss option is given is ookkaayy::00.
-default _l_a_b_e_l
Defines the button with a matching _l_a_b_e_l to be the default. If not specified there is no default. The corresponding resource is ddeeffaauullttBBuuttttoonn. Pressing Return anywhere in the _x_m_e_s_s_a_g_e window will activate the default button. The default button has a wider border than the others.
-file _f_i_l_e_n_a_m_e
File to display. The corresponding resource is ffiillee. A _f_i_l_e_n_a_m_e of `--' reads from standard input. If this option is not supplied, _x_m_e_s_s_a_g_e will display all non-option arguments in the style of _e_c_h_o. Either --ffiillee or a message on the command line should be provided, but not both.
-print
This will cause the program to write the label of the button pressed to standard output. Equivalent to setting the pprriinnttVVaalluuee resource to TRUE. This is one way to get feedback as to which button was pressed.
-center
Pop up the window at the center of the screen. Equivalent to setting the cceenntteerr resource to TRUE.
-nearmouse
Pop up the window near the mouse cursor. Equivalent to setting the nneeaarrMMoouussee resource to TRUE.
-timeout _s_e_c_s
Exit with status 0 after _s_e_c_s seconds if the user has not clicked on a button yet. The corresponding resource is ttiimmeeoouutt.

WIDGET HIERARCHY

Knowing the name and position in the hierarchy of each widget is useful when specifying resources for them. In the following chart, the class and name of each widget is given.


Xmessage (xmessage)
        Form form
                Text message
                Command (label1)
                Command (label2)
                .
                .
                .

RESOURCES

The program has a few top-level application resources that allow customizations that are specific to _x_m_e_s_s_a_g_e.
file
A String specifying the file to display.
buttons
A String specifying the buttons to display. See the --bbuuttttoonnss command-line option.
defaultButton
A String specifying a default button by label.
printValue
A Boolean value specifying whether the label of the button pressed to exit the program is written to standard output. The default is FALSE.
center
A Boolean value specifying whether to pop up the window at the center of the screen. The default is FALSE.
nearMouse
A Boolean value specifying whether to pop up the window near the mouse cursor. The default is FALSE.
timeout
The number of seconds after which to exit with status 0. The default is 0, which means never time out.
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