# mitem_new 3x

    mitem_new(3x)                                             mitem_new(3x)

## NAME

           mitem_new - create and destroy menu items

## SYNOPSIS

           #include <menu.h>
           ITEM *new_item(const char *name, const char *description);
           int free_item(ITEM *item);

## DESCRIPTION

           The function new_item allocates a new item and initializes
           it from the name and description pointers.  Please  notice
           that  the  item  stores  only the pointers to the name and
           description. Those pointers must be valid during the life-
           time of the item. So you should be very careful with names
           or descriptions allocated on the stack of some routines.
           The function free_item de-allocates an item. Please notice
           that  it  is  the  responsibility  of  the  application to
           release the memory for the name or the description of  the
           item.

## RETURN VALUE

           The  function  new_item  returns  NULL  on error.  It sets
           errno according to the function's failure:

           E_BAD_ARGUMENT
                Routine detected an incorrect or  out-of-range  argu-
                ment.

           E_SYSTEM_ERROR
                System error occurred, e.g., malloc failure.

           The function free_item returns one of the following:

           E_OK The routine succeeded.

           E_BAD_ARGUMENT
                Routine  detected  an incorrect or out-of-range argu-
                ment.

           E_CONNECTED
                Item is connected to a menu.

           E_SYSTEM_ERROR
                System error occurred (see errno).

## SEE ALSO

           curses(3x), menu(3x).

## NOTES

           The header file <menu.h> automatically includes the header
           file <curses.h>.

## PORTABILITY

           These  routines  emulate  the System V menu library.  They
           were not supported on Version 7 or BSD versions.

## AUTHORS

           Juergen Pfeifer.  Manual  pages  and  adaptation  for  new
           curses by Eric S. Raymond.

                                                              mitem_new(3x)