What is Slsc?

Slsc, or Spreadsheet for Console, is a command-line utility designed to manage spreadsheet-like data directly within your terminal. Written using the libslang library, Slsc allows developers to interact with and manipulate tabular data efficiently without leaving their command-line environment. This tool is particularly useful for tasks involving data processing, quick lookups, or when working on remote servers where graphical interfaces are unavailable.

How to Install Slsc

Before installing Slsc, ensure you have the libslang development libraries installed on your system. The installation process typically involves downloading the source code, configuring the build, and compiling it.

# Install libslang-dev first (package name may vary by distribution)
# Example for Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install libslang-dev

# Download the Slsc archive
wget http://jedsoft.org/snapshots/slsc-pre0.3.0-2.tar.gz

# Extract the archive
tar xf slsc*.tar.gz

# Navigate into the extracted directory
cd slsc*/

# Configure the build
./configure

# Compile the software
make

Using Slsc in the Console

Once installed, Slsc provides a set of intuitive commands and keybindings for navigating and editing data within the console. Here's a quick guide to some essential operations:

Navigation and Selection

• /: Move the menu cursor. Press Enter to select an item or navigate.
• ?: Access help documentation for more detailed information.
• First letters of a topic + Enter: Quickly jump to specific sections.
• Enter: Go back to the previous screen or menu.
• CTRL+G: Mark the end of a region for selection or operations.

Editing Cell Content

When entering or editing data within a cell, Slsc offers several options:

• < or >: Align text content to the left or right within the cell.
• =: Enter a numerical value or a formula.
• TAB: Edit the text content of the current cell.
• Backspace (<-): Delete the content of the current cell.

Configuration

Slsc uses a configuration file located at ~/.slscrc to store user preferences and settings.

External Resources

• Libslang Documentation: Learn more about the underlying library used by Slsc.
• GNU Screen Manual: For users interested in advanced terminal multiplexing.
• AWK Documentation: A powerful text-processing tool often used in conjunction with command-line data manipulation.