How do I set up the delete key to erase?

Purdue Engineering Computer Network

On my Sun workstation, at my UNIX prompt, I want the key DELETE to go backwards and erase. Instead it does not erase backwards, it just prints characters and I have to press RETURN to get back to my prompt.

How do I set the DELETE to erase?

To set the DELETE to erase

In your .login or .cshrc file, add the following:

	stty erase '^?'

For example, in a .cshrc file, it would look like this:

#
# Here are some more useful shell options
# Please set or unset your own here:
#
set ignoreeof               # Ignore ^D - type 'logout' to logout
set noclobber               # Avoid accidental overwriting files
set notify                  # Notify as soon as job is done
set history = 50            # Remember previous 50 commands
set filec                   # Turn file completion on
set prompt="%${HOSTMACH}% " # set your prompt
stty erase '^?'

For Sun3 xterminals

You have to add a few echo commands to accomplish this:

#
# Here are some more useful shell options
# Please set or unset your own here:
#
set ignoreeof               # Ignore ^D - type 'logout' to logout
set noclobber               # Avoid accidental overwriting files
set notify                  # Notify as soon as job is done
set history = 50            # Remember previous 50 commands
set filec                   # Turn file completion on
set prompt="%${HOSTMACH}% " # set your prompt
stty echoe echok echoke erase '^?' kill '^U'