escape sequence

1 definition found

escape sequence - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  escape sequence
  
     <character> (Or "escape code") A series of characters starting
     with the escape character (ASCII 27).  Escape sequences are
     often used to control display devices such as VDUs.  An
     escape sequence might change the colour of subsequent text,
     reassign keys on the keyboard, change printer settings or
     reposition the cursor.  The escape sequences of the DEC
     vt100 video terminal have become a de facto standard for
     this purpose.
  
     The term is also used for any sequence of characters that
     temporarily suspends normal processing of a stream of
     characters to perform some special function.  For example, the
     Hayes modem uses the sequence "+++" to escape to command
     mode in which characters are interpreted as commands to the
     modem itself rather than as data to pass through.
  
     [Was the character named after this use or vice versa?]
  
     (1997-11-27)