Many programs use the TERM variable and the database
/etc/termcap or /usr/lib/terminfo/* to decide
which strings to send for clear screen, move cursor, etc.,
and sometimes also to decide which string is sent
by the users backspace key, function keys etc.
This value is first set by the kernel (for the console).
Usually, this variable is re-set by getty, using /etc/ttytype or
the argument specified in /etc/inittab.
Sometimes, it is also set in /etc/profile.
Older systems use TERM=console or TERM=con80x25. Newer systems (with
ncurses 1.8.6) use the more specific TERM=linux or TERM=linux-80x25.
However, old versions of setterm test for TERM=con* and hence fail
to work with TERM=linux.
Since kernel version 1.3.2, the kernel default for the console is
TERM=linux.
If you have a termcap without entry for linux, add the word linux to the entry for the console:
console|con80x25|linux:\
/usr/lib/terminfo/l/linux a copy of or symbolic link to
/usr/lib/terminfo/c/console.
The terminfo entry for the linux console from ncurses 1.8.6 misses the
entry kich1=\E[2~, needed by some programs.
Edit the file and tic it.