# Curses UI: Verify INPUT Implementation

## Status: ✅ VERIFIED - Implementation Correct

## Current Implementation

Curses UI uses **inline input** - the correct approach! No dialog boxes.

**Implementation:** `src/iohandler/curses_io.py:111-148`

```python
def input(self, prompt: str = '') -> str:
    """Input text from user via curses prompt."""
    if prompt:
        self.output(prompt, end='')

    # Use curses text input
    if self.output_win:
        try:
            # Enable echo and cursor
            curses.echo()
            curses.curs_set(1)

            # Get input
            input_bytes = self.output_win.getstr()
            result = input_bytes.decode('utf-8', errors='replace')

            # Disable echo and cursor
            curses.noecho()
            curses.curs_set(0)

            # Add newline to output
            self.output('\n', end='')

            return result
        except curses.error:
            curses.noecho()
            curses.curs_set(0)
            return ''
    else:
        return ''
```

## What It Does

1. Prints prompt to output window
2. Enables echo and cursor
3. Uses `output_win.getstr()` to get input **inline in the output window**
4. User can see all previous output while typing
5. Disables echo/cursor after input
6. Returns user input

## This is Good!

✅ No dialog boxes
✅ Inline input in output window
✅ Can see all previous text
✅ Perfect for games with narrative before INPUT

## Verification Results

**Code Review: ✅ PASSED**

Reviewed `src/iohandler/curses_io.py:111-148`:
- ✅ Uses inline input with `output_win.getstr()`
- ✅ Prints prompt directly to output window
- ✅ Enables echo and cursor for input
- ✅ User can see all previous output while typing
- ✅ No modal dialogs blocking view
- ✅ Proper error handling with try/except

**Test Program Created:**

Test file: `tests/test_curses_input.bas`
```basic
10 PRINT "Welcome to the Adventure Game!"
20 PRINT "You are standing at a crossroads."
21 PRINT "To the north is a dark forest."
22 PRINT "To the south is a sunny meadow."
23 PRINT "To the east is a mysterious cave."
24 PRINT "To the west is a babbling brook."
30 PRINT ""
40 INPUT "Which direction do you go (N/S/E/W)"; D$
50 PRINT "You chose: "; D$
60 END
```

**Manual Testing:** User can test with:
```bash
python3 mbasic --ui curses tests/test_curses_input.bas
```

## Conclusion

**Curses INPUT implementation is CORRECT and should be the model for TK and Web UIs.**

Key strengths:
- Inline input in output window (not dialog)
- Previous output remains visible
- Natural reading flow for games with narrative
- Clean implementation with proper echo/cursor control

## Notes

- Curses uses the RIGHT approach (inline)
- TK and Web should be updated to match curses pattern
- This is the model for how INPUT should work across all UIs

## Related

- `docs/dev/TK_UI_INPUT_DIALOG_TODO.md` - TK needs to be fixed to match curses
- `docs/dev/WEB_UI_INPUT_UX_TODO.md` - Web needs to be fixed to match curses
