Re: [bug #30539] Backspace key sends DEL (0x7f) character on OSX, whereas GS X backend does not

[Derek Fawcus]

On Sun, Jul 25, 2010 at 09:27:06PM +0000, Fred Kiefer wrote:
> 
> Follow-up Comment #1, bug #30539 (project gnustep):
> 
> This is another controversial change.

Agreed.

They were both submited largely for documentation and discussion purposes;
and as I mentioned since the 'we should be compatible with OSX' view had
been expressed.

The same program I mentioned earier also highlighed this.

Given the various views expressed over the years wrt to what backspace
should generate in xterm and stty settings,  I expected this one to
be controversial.

> When changing the key mapping here we also need to adjust the mapping
> in NSInputManager

Thanks for the pointer.  My program is currently avoiding the input
manager until I get some other stuff sorted out.  So something else
to look at if this is not accepted and I simply use it as a private
patch.

> and make sure that all applications relying on the current behaviour get 
> corrected as well.
> 
> As I understand it, you tested the behaviour on an Apple computer and found
> that the backspace key produces an NSDeleteCharacter.

Yup.  So does OPENSTEP for MACH 4.2,  fwiw.

> Looking through the Google hit for NSDeleteCharacter there seems to be a lot
> of confusion even among the Apple developers.

So I see,  but it looks as if the confusion arises from the name of the enums.

It does rather beg the question about what a bunch of the various 
NSxxxFunctionKey
things were defined for.  Maybe expectations of use if openstep had got wider
acceptance?