# set-break command

The set-break BASIC program displays
or changes the value of the break character used as an optional substitute
for the BREAK key for the current port.

## Syntax

```
set-break {decimal.value}|{.hexadecimal.value}|{off}|{esc}|{^} {(options}
```

## Parameter(s)

The initial value of this character
is set for the entire virtual machine by the brkchr statement in the configuration file. Without any argument, this
command displays the current value.

| decimal.value | Value 0-255. | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| hexadecimal.value | Value 0-ff. This must be preceded with a period. | |
| off | Disables the BREAK key. | |
| esc | Defines the ESC key as the BREAK key. | |
| ^ | Indicates the character specified is a control character. | |
| options | q | Quiet option suppresses all terminal output. |
The set-break off disables the BREAK
key. The value to assign the BREAK key can be referenced by its ASCII
or hexadecimal value.

- Using the escape character as the value assigns 27 (x'1b').

- Using the off command as the value assigns 255 (x'ff').

- Using a character specification assigns that character to the BREAK key.

- Using the ^ indicates the character specified is a control character.

When this function is enabled by assigning a value other than
x'ff' to this character, and when the [brk-level command](https://d3codex.com/tcl/brk-level-command/) has been issued, pressing the corresponding key pushes one more
TCL level. When the [brk-debug command](https://d3codex.com/tcl/brk-debug-command/) is issued, pressing the corresponding
key enters the FlashBASIC or system debugger.

Assigning an `unreasonable` value to the break character will have unpredictable
results. For example, set-break 13 makes pressing
ENTER push a level or break.

## Example(s)

Displays the current definition
for the BREAK key.

```
set-break
Break value x’1C’ (decimal 28)
```
Defines the BREAK key as CTRL+C.

```
set-break 3
Break value x’03’ (decimal 3)
Previous value x’1C’ (decimal 28)
```
Defines the ESC key as the BREAK key.

```
set-break esc
Break value x’1B’ (decimal 27)
Previous value x’03’ (decimal 3)
```

## See also

- [pick0 file](https://d3codex.com/unix/pick0-file/)
- [set-esc command](https://d3codex.com/tcl/set-esc-command/)

---
Source: https://d3codex.com/tcl/set-break-command/ - part of the D3Codex reference.