gistfile1.py

# Workaround for default editable text entries on OS X .. sadly relies on curses

import curses, curses.textpad
from curses.textpad import Textbox

screen = curses.initscr()
curses.savetty()
curses.noecho()

class BackspaceTextbox(Textbox):
    def do_command(self, ch):
        # Correct delete so it works with ^? (standard Backspace mapping in Terminal)
        (y, x) = self.win.getyx()
        if ch == 127:
            self.lastcmd = ch
            if x > 0:
                self.win.move(y, x-1)
            elif y == 0:
                pass
            elif self.stripspaces:
                self.win.move(y-1, self._end_of_line(y-1))
            else:
                self.win.move(y-1, self.maxx)
            self.win.delch()
            return 1
        return Textbox.do_command(self, ch)
        
def maketextbox(value=""):
    nw = curses.newwin(1,0,0,0)
    txtbox = BackspaceTextbox(nw)
    nw.addstr(0,0,value,0)
    screen.refresh()
    return txtbox

foo = maketextbox("default")
text = foo.edit()
curses.resetty()
curses.endwin()
print "Entered data:", text