vttest

vttest is a free and open-source command-line tool that’s super handy for testing how well your VT100-compatible terminals work. It was built from scratch using the C programming language, so it’s pretty solid! Basically, it helps you see if your terminal is compatible or not.

History of vttest

This software was originally designed for the Sargasso C compiler, which ran on DECsystem-10 machines. Just a heads-up, though: it doesn’t cover all the different types of VT100 terminals out there. For instance, you won’t find support for the newer VT200 series or the older VT125 and VT131 models.

New Features in Version 1.7

If you’re curious about what’s new, version 1.7 added extra tests! This update lets you analyze some variants of XTerm and also supports VT420 and VT220 compatible terminals.

How to Install vttest

To get started with vttest on your GNU/Linux system, you’ll want to download the latest version from Softpedia or the official website (link below). Once downloaded, save the file somewhere convenient. Extract its contents and open up a terminal emulator.

Running vttest in Your Terminal

In your terminal window, use the ‘cd’ command to go to where you unpacked the archive file. Then run ‘./configure && make’ to get everything set up just right for your system. After that’s done, install it by running ‘make install’ as root or with sudo.

Using vttest

Now you’re ready to use it! Just type ‘vttest’ in your Linux terminal and a menu will pop up with different test options. Choose a number for whichever test you want to start!

The Tests You Can Run

The vttest program comes packed with twelve tests! These include checks for cursor movements, screen features, character sets, double-sized characters, keyboard functionality, terminal reports, VT52 mode tests, and even some known bugs. You can also test non-VT100 terminals like XTerm or VT220 and tweak various test parameters!