This blog contains experience gained over the years of implementing (and de-implementing) large scale IT applications/software.

Script Korn Shell to use Bold Output

Here’s how you can use a normal Korn shell script to put out bold text on the screen providing the emulator you are using supports it:

#!/bin/ksh
$ bold=`tput smso`
$ regular=`tput rmso`

$ echo "${bold}Please type in your name: c"
$ echo "${regular}OK"

See the man page for tput for a wild array of other capabilities.
It’s possible you can even use tput to draw in different parts of the screen.
This could be used to create a drop-down box or a menu select box in KSH.
It can be done!  Honest!