Using the Modeless Table Editor

sve is a simplified version of jve which operates in a single mode
(replace, or overwrite) at all times.  Edit commands are executed by
pressing non-printing keys.

sve can be used as a simple standalone /rdb table editor without any
programming or modification.  Validation files and rules for sve are the
same as for jve.  Basic edit functions supported by sve are listed below.
The arrow keys are used to move around the record without disturbing
the contents.

text insertion:  using the INSERT key allows text to be inserted
	at the cursor, without destroying or overwriting existing
	text in the field.
start new record: press the HOME key and at the ? prompt, press the
	INSERT key.

character deletion:  text may be deleted a character at a time using 
	the <- key.
field deletion: field contents are deleted from the cursor to the
	end of the field using the DELETE key (not to be confused with
	the DEL key).
record deletion: press the HOME key and at the ? prompt, press the
	DELETE key.

column search:  press the HOME key twice and enter the pattern to search
	for at the SEARCH COLUMN: prompt.  sve will only find matches
	from the column the cursor was on prior to initiating the search.
record search:  press the HOME key thrice and enter the pattern to search
	for at the SEARCH RECORD: prompt.  sve will find matches
	regardless of the column the cursor was on prior to initiating
	the search.
repeat a search: press the HOME key and then RETURN to resume the current
	search.

get next record: the PAGE DOWN key displays the next record.  If there
	is no PAGE DOWN key, press the HOME key and at the ? prompt,
	press the right-arrow key.
get previous record: the PAGE UP key displays the previous record. If there
	is no PAGE UP key, press the HOME key and at the ? prompt,
	press the left-arrow key.

save changes: the ESC key writes the record to the disk.  If the
	contents of the record have changed, a SAVE CHANGES? prompt
	appears when the user attempts to get another record before
	saving changes made to the current record.  A 'y' response will
	save the record: any other response will not.

quit:	hit the END key.

Because sve is a link to jve, all of the commands available to
jve are available at the CTRL-key and function key mapping and
can be employed to customize editing procedures for particular
tables or to expedite often repeated commands.

Some implementations of sve may fail due to improper or incomplete
terminfo entries.  For example, the END key might not work, or the
keyboard might not have an END key.  One way to resolve this is to
untic the description, add the appropriate key code and reinstall the
description.  This can be difficult and frustrating.

Another way is to create a .sverc file which describes a function key
or control key that can be used as a substitute to perform the same
task as the END key:

% cat .sverc
key	command
---	-------
1	q

The file above maps the F1 key to the `q' commands.  For more
information about key mapping, refer to the section on .jverc files in the
/rdb 6.2 manual.


how do I get sve?

If sve is not already in your $RDB/bin directory, log in as superuser
and link jve to sve:

% su
Password:
# ln $RDB/bin/jve $RDB/bin/sve