# Install x3270 with Homebrew, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, zypper IBM 3270 terminal emulator for the X Window System and Windows. Version 4.5ga5 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-04. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:x3270 ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install x3270 ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install x3270 ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: x11/x3270/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Linux - Debian apt (92%): ```sh sudo apt install x3270 ``` Evidence: Debian stable package indexes: x3270 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz - dnf (92%): ```sh sudo dnf install x3270 ``` Evidence: Fedora Rawhide package metadata: x3270 from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#x3270 ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/x3/x3270/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - zypper (92%): ```sh sudo zypper install x3270 ``` Evidence: openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: x3270 from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:x3270 - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 4.5ga5 - **Source summary:** IBM 3270 terminal emulator for the X Window System and Windows - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** BSD-3-Clause - **Source archive:** - **Last updated:** 2026-06-04T05:02:46Z - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - b3270 (cli) - c3270 (cli) - pr3287 (cli) - prtodir (cli) - s3270 (cli) - tcl3270 (cli) - x3270if (cli) - b3270 (alias) - c3270 (alias) - pr3287 (alias) - prtodir (alias) - s3270 (alias) - tcl3270 (alias) - x3270if (alias) ## Dependencies - openssl@3 - readline ## Uses from macOS - expat - ncurses ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 4.5ga5 - Package-manager updated: 2026-06-04 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://x3270.bgp.nu/ - info: Release/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories. ## Project history and usage x3270 is a family of IBM 3270 terminal emulators and related tools for Unix-like systems and Windows. It connects modern desktops, terminals, and scripts to IBM mainframe sessions over TELNET/TN3270/TN3270E, preserving the block-mode terminal model used by 3270 applications. The package is historically anchored by Paul Mattes, who has modified and extended x3270 since version 3.1 in 1993 and remains the maintainer identified by the project site. Over time the name came to cover not only the X11 GUI emulator but also console, scripting, Tcl, printer, Windows, and backend variants. ### Project history IBM 3270 terminals were not character-at-a-time Unix terminals; they were display stations for mainframe applications that exchanged structured screens with the host. x3270 brought that interaction model to the X Window System, allowing users on Unix workstations to reach mainframe applications without physical 3270 hardware. Paul Mattes' long stewardship turned x3270 into a suite. The project site lists x3270 for X displays, c3270 for curses terminals, wc3270 and wx3270 for Windows, s3270 and tcl3270 for screen-scraping and scripted automation, and pr3287 for printer emulation. GitHub mirrors the same shape with separate directories for the family members. ### Adoption history x3270's adoption lives in the durable mainframe niche: banks, governments, universities, enterprises, retrocomputing, and Hercules-based hobbyist systems still need 3270-compatible access. SourceForge describes it as a suite with full 3278/3279/3287 TN3270E emulation, DBCS support, IND$FILE file transfer, SSL, and scripting. The project has persisted because mainframe interfaces persist. Its package value is not fashion; it is compatibility. Users need predictable keyboard maps, host-codepage handling, file transfer, printer sessions, scripted screen automation, and command-line variants that can run in terminals or batch jobs. ### How it is used Interactive users run `x3270` for an X11 GUI or `c3270` in a terminal to connect to a host and operate 3278/3279-style sessions. Windows users have corresponding graphical and console versions, while `pr3287` handles printer emulation. Automation users run `s3270`, `tcl3270`, or helper interfaces such as `x3270if` to drive host screens programmatically. That screen-scraping role is a major part of x3270's continuing relevance because many mainframe workflows expose stable terminal screens rather than modern APIs. ### Why package nerds care x3270 is package-nerd significant because it is an old-school compatibility tool that remains live. It packages a whole protocol and terminal family into small executables whose names encode their frontends: X11, curses, scripting, Tcl, printer, and Windows variants. It is also a useful reminder that 'networking' packages are not only HTTP clients and cloud CLIs. TN3270E, IND$FILE, 3278/3279 displays, and 3287 printers are still operational infrastructure for people who maintain or automate mainframe systems. ### Timeline - 1993: Paul Mattes begins modifying and extending x3270 from version 3.1. - 2000s-2010s: The x3270 family expands across X11, curses, Windows, scripting, Tcl, and printer-emulation variants. - 2020-03-17: The x3270 Wiki is launched as a frequently updated documentation home. - 2026-04-01: SourceForge lists recent project activity, reflecting continued maintenance. - 2026: The GitHub repository presents x3270 as a family of IBM 3270 emulators with thousands of commits and many tagged releases. ### Related projects - c3270 is the curses terminal frontend in the x3270 family. - s3270 and tcl3270 are the automation and scripting-oriented members of the family. - wc3270 and wx3270 are Windows-oriented members. - pr3287 provides IBM 3287 printer emulation. - Hercules is a common mainframe-emulator environment where 3270 emulators are used. ### Sources - - - - - ## Security Notes narrow executable package without higher-risk signals. - **Geiger risk:** green / low - narrow executable package without higher-risk signals ## Configuration and credential file locations These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval. ## Configuration files - Unix: ~/.x3270pro, ~/.Xdefaults ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** x3270 - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 0 - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Debian apt - x3270 - 4.3ga10-5: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: x3270 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | X11 program for telnet sessions to IBM mainframes | http://x3270.bgp.nu/ - Nix - x3270: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/x3/x3270/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Ubuntu apt - x3270 - 4.1ga10-1.1build2: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: x3270 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | X11 program for telnet sessions to IBM mainframes | http://x3270.bgp.nu/ - dnf - x3270 - 4.5ga5-1.fc45: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: x3270 from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | An X Window System based IBM 3278/3279 terminal emulator | https://x3270.miraheze.org/wiki/Main_Page - dnf - x3270-text - 4.5ga5-1.fc45: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: x3270-text from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | IBM 3278/3279 terminal emulator for text mode | https://x3270.miraheze.org/wiki/Main_Page - dnf - x3270-x11 - 4.5ga5-1.fc45: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: x3270-x11 from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | IBM 3278/3279 terminal emulator for the X Window System | https://x3270.miraheze.org/wiki/Main_Page - zypper - x3270 - 4.5-1.3: normalized package name match | openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: x3270 from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst | A Family of IBM 3270 Terminal Emulators | https://x3270.miraheze.org - MacPorts - x3270: normalized package name match | MacPorts ports tree: x11/x3270/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - MacPorts - c3270: installed executable or alias match | MacPorts ports tree: comms/c3270/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Debian apt - b3270 - 4.3ga10-5: installed executable or alias match | Debian stable package indexes: b3270 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | Backend tool for telnet sessions to IBM mainframes | http://x3270.bgp.nu/ - Debian apt - c3270 - 4.3ga10-5: installed executable or alias match | Debian stable package indexes: c3270 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | Curses program for telnet sessions to IBM mainframes | http://x3270.bgp.nu/ - Debian apt - pr3287 - 4.3ga10-5: installed executable or alias match | Debian stable package indexes: pr3287 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | IBM 3287 printer emulation for telnet sessions to IBM mainframes | http://x3270.bgp.nu/ - Debian apt - s3270 - 4.3ga10-5: installed executable or alias match | Debian stable package indexes: s3270 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | Program for scripted telnet sessions to IBM mainframes | http://x3270.bgp.nu/ - Debian apt - tcl3270 - 4.3ga10-5: installed executable or alias match | Debian stable package indexes: tcl3270 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | Program for Tcl-scripted telnet sessions to IBM mainframes | http://x3270.bgp.nu/ - Ubuntu apt - b3270 - 4.1ga10-1.1build2: installed executable or alias match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: b3270 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | Backend tool for telnet sessions to IBM mainframes | http://x3270.bgp.nu/ - Ubuntu apt - c3270 - 4.1ga10-1.1build2: installed executable or alias match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: c3270 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | Curses program for telnet sessions to IBM mainframes | http://x3270.bgp.nu/ ## Related links - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [Game and emulation packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/game-emulation-tools/) - Matched game or emulation metadata. - [Homebrew utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew-utility-packages/) - Matched Homebrew package provider. - [openssl@3](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/openssl-3/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [x-cli](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/x-cli/) - Package name indicates the same formula family. - [x264](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/x264/) - Package name indicates the same formula family. - [x265](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/x265/) - Package name indicates the same formula family. - [putty](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/putty/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, terminal, terminal-emulator. - [shellinabox](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/shellinabox/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, terminal, terminal-emulator. - [chawan](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/chawan/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, terminal. - [felinks](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/felinks/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, terminal. - [links](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/links/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, terminal. - [mapscii](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/mapscii/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, terminal. - [mosh](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/mosh/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, terminal. - [trzsz](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/trzsz/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, terminal. - [bitchx](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/bitchx/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, networking, openssl, terminal. - [jnettop](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/jnettop/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, networking, system. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/x3270.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/x3270.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated configuration and credential file locations - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph