tailless

gistfile1.txt

#!/usr/bin/env python

# reading from file is left out as an exercise
# as is quitting with 'q'
# and wrapping
# and possibly something else

import curses
import sys

VISIBLE_LINE_COUNT = 3

def main():
    visible_lines = []
    screen = curses.initscr()

    try:
        while True:
            next_line = sys.stdin.readline()
            visible_lines = visible_lines[-VISIBLE_LINE_COUNT+1:]
            visible_lines.append(next_line.rstrip())
            screen.clear()
            for i, text in enumerate(visible_lines):
                screen.addstr(i, 0, text)
            screen.refresh()
    except:
        pass
    finally:
        curses.endwin()


if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()