How to use the command 'wipeclean' (with examples)
The ‘wipeclean’ command is a utility designed to enhance the experience of using a terminal by clearing the terminal screen through a visually engaging animated wiper effect. Instead of the abrupt and sudden transition often caused by traditional screen clearing methods, ‘wipeclean’ offers a smoother and more aesthetic approach. It is especially useful for those who spend considerable time in the terminal and appreciate a touch of visual flair during their workflow. This utility can be particularly beneficial in presentations, recordings, or when working in environments where maintaining a visually pleasing interface is important.
Use case 1: Clear the terminal screen
Code:
wipeclean
Motivation:
Clearing the terminal screen is a common task performed by nearly every user who interacts with terminal sessions. Whether it’s for cleaning up clutter, presenting code or results to an audience, or simply starting a fresh session, clearing the screen improves readability and organization. Using ‘wipeclean’ adds a layer of visual appeal to this routine task, engaging users with an animated effect that makes the action more enjoyable and less monotonous.
Explanation:
In this example, the command wipeclean is invoked without any additional arguments or options. This command triggers the default behavior of ‘wipeclean’, which is to clear the terminal screen using its built-in animated wiper effect. The absence of additional parameters means that ‘wipeclean’ utilizes the default animation speed, pre-set by the utility to give a balanced and aesthetically pleasing wipe effect.
Example Output:
Upon executing wipeclean, users will observe their terminal screen being cleared in a smooth motion resembling the action of a windshield wiper, removing all previous content from view in an elegant and orderly manner. This leaves the terminal ready for new commands or outputs, all while providing a unique visual experience.
Use case 2: Set the animation speed in frames per second (defaults to 150)
Code:
wipeclean --speed speed
Motivation:
While the default animation speed is suitable for general use, some users may prefer adjusting the speed to match their personal preferences or specific use-case requirements. For instance, a faster animation speed might be desirable during a live demonstration to minimize waiting time, while a slower speed might be chosen to emphasize the wiping effect in a more leisurely or artistic setting. The flexibility to adjust speed allows users to tailor their experience with ‘wipeclean’ to best fit their needs and contexts.
Explanation:
In this usage, the wipeclean command is coupled with the --speed option, followed by a numerical value representing the desired animation speed in frames per second (FPS). By specifying this argument, users can modify how quickly the animated wiper effect clears the screen. A higher value results in a faster wipe, while a lower value slows down the animation. For example, replacing ‘speed’ with “200” would speed up the animation compared to the default speed of 150 FPS.
Example Output:
When a user runs wipeclean --speed 200, the terminal screen is cleared with a wiper motion executed at the configured speed. Users will notice a quicker transition compared to the default setting, making it apparent that the animation speed has been successfully adjusted. This offers a customized visual effect, aligned with user preferences or specific presentation needs.
Conclusion:
The ‘wipeclean’ command offers terminal users a creative and customizable way to clear their screens, moving beyond the traditional, static methods. By employing this utility, users can enjoy a visually engaging terminal environment tailored to their preferences, enhancing both efficiency and aesthetics in their daily workflows. Whether it’s for adding flair to a routine task or customizing the look and feel of a terminal session during presentations, ‘wipeclean’ serves as a refreshing tool in the terminal user’s toolkit.
