Here's what I think I would like ...

A unix command named 'topify' which allows you to create a pipeline of stdio into a top-like, updating, single screen output.

So, let's say you have a command with multiple lines of output - like netstat or certain airport commands - but instead of doing silly things like I do now:

  while true ; do airport -s ; sleep 10 ; tput clear ; done

... I could `topify airport -s` and I would just get a nice, single page, constantly refreshing output summary.

There are a LOT of commands I wish I could 'topify' from time to time ...

Have you tried watch[0]? Sounds like it might be a decent solution for what you want.

[0] https://linux.die.net/man/1/watch

No, I had not seen that - I will take a look.

Thank you!

Interesting how the show their work results in a completely differnt way. I'm looking at it, because the C, C++ and the Rust interface are my working area. I love TUIs and think they are used to less. Easy usage, concise overview and high efficiency. TUIs seem to naturally restrict itself, keep tight to the task and therefore work better. Mileage may vary well ;)

Restraint is a great tool for engineers. When you can't to everything, you focus on what matters the most.

I used to have an IBM 3151 terminal on my desk (I wish I could afford a 3278/9 or 3290) connected over 9600 bps to my workstation. It's a great to remind me to keep things simple.

I have the same one on my desk, for the same reason.

Using curses also allows it to work on terminals that are not ANSI terminals (even though most of the actual hardware that still survives understand most of the VT-100 sequences).

Also, not all terminals have uniform coverage for ANSI codes. Apple's Terminal.App does a good job with double-width and double-height, but lacks the SGR 53 overline that VTE, Konsole and Microsoft Windows Terminal have (and that makes status lines so much better).