History of TERMCAP

[Teruhiko Kurosaka - Sun Intercon]

If I remember correctly, the TERMCAP variable was first used to keep an
alternative filename of the TERMCAP database to be used instead of 
the standard /etc/termcap.
But today, it is also used to keep the TERMCAP entry for the current 
terminal, probably in attempt to speed up data retrieval.
This is very annoying me because the filename and its contents are two
different thing and one variable is used to keep either one.
Any way, I just wonder why, when and how this strange practice 
has started.  Does anyone know about it? (Should I ask this kind of
question to alt.folklore.computer?)
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T. Kurosaka ("Kuro") --- Sun Microsystems, Intercontinental Operation
Internet:kuro at Corp.Sun.Com Voice:+1(415)496-6121/336-5921 Fax:+1(415)858-0284
Mail: Mail Stop A6-18, 1870 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA