So far, the only screen for data-entry we have seen is the default screen (Screen 0). It was created automatically by filePro Plus and although useful, it’s not very attractive. You can create screens of any style to suit your users' data-entry requirements with "Define Screens".
You can:
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Rename your fields. |
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Position them anywhere. |
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Use graphics, reverse video highlighting, and color to enhance the user interface. (If your system is capable of displaying color) |
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Program the cursor to follow a special sequence of fields rather than the default (which is left to right, top to bottom). |
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Copy a screen to a new or existing screen, even in another file. |
In addition, you can customize the data-entry process even more by using “Define Processing”. Here are some examples of what you can do, and later, we’ll show you how this is done.
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Bring in data from other files automatically and have them appear in specified fields. |
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Insert helpful messages for users at appropriate moments. |
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Branch to other data-entry screens when necessary. |
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Create a monochrome version of a color screen. |
Now we’ll create an elegant data-entry screen.
1. From the filePro Plus main menu select option two, “Define Screens”.
2. Highlight or type in the file name "cust". Let’s abandon the old Screen 0 and start from scratch with Screen 1. At the “Screen Name” prompt, select “[NEW]”, press "1" and press <RETURN>.
3. You’re now looking at Screen 1. It’s like a fresh blank canvas waiting to be painted.
NOTE: Throughout this lesson you should refer to your “Field Markers” section of the fPmanual or use the Help Key <F10>.
4. First, let’s give this screen a “reverse video” heading. In reverse video, the background color becomes the foreground color and the foreground color becomes the background color.
Notice the numbers in the lower left corner of your screen. This is the row and column position of your cursor. This will help you paint your screen easily.
With the cursor at position “1,1”, press <ALT> <F9>. The cursor row and column numbers on the bottom left corner of the screen should now be in reverse video.
5. Use the <SPACE BAR> to create a reverse video line from column 1 to 34 on line 1. Then type "Customer File" and press the <SPACE BAR> until you reach position “1,80”. Press the <SPACE BAR> once more to “wrap” the cursor to the beginning of the next line. Look for the ",2,1" at the lower left corner of the screen.
6. Turn off the reverse video mode by pressing <ALT> <F9>. Check the cursor row and column indicator numbers to see that the reverse video is off.
7. Use the down arrow key to move two lines down to position “4,1".
8. Move the cursor right 10 columns (“4,10”). To place a data-entry field on the screen, filePro Plus uses a “field indicator” followed by the field number or letter designation (letters are used for variable or “dummy fields"). There are three field indicators; "*", "%" and "!".
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The asterisk field indicator is used for a field that can be entered, modified, or left blank. | |
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The percent field indicator is used for a field that can be entered or modified but cannot be left blank. It is also known as the “must fill” indicator. | |
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The exclamation point field indicator is used to display a field but prevent any data-entry or modification to it. It is also known as the “protected” field indicator. |
9. At position “4,10” type "Customer Number: %1"
10. Move to the right to “4,43”; type: "Year to Date Sales: !8" then press <RETURN>.
NOTE: You can see a list of the field names and their numbers at any time, by pressing the <F6> key.
11. Move down and over to “7,21”;type "Name: *3"
12. Move right to “7,43” and type "*2"
13. Move to “10,13”; type "Days on File: !aa"
14. Move to “10,43”; type: "Days Since Last Update: !ab"
15. Move to “13,18”, type "Address: *4"
16. Move to “14,11”; type "City,State,Zip: *5"
17. Move to “14,43”; type "*8".
18. At “14,49” type "*7"
19. Now we can get fancy by drawing some boxes around a group of fields. You can use boxes to emphasize areas or to separate different areas. Move the cursor to position “2,5”; press <F7>. Move the cursor to “16,75”; press <D>, to draw a box.
20. Press <F7>; move to “12,5” and press <D>.
21. Press <F7>; move to “9,75” and press <D>.
22. Press <F7>; move to “6,5” and press <D>.
Now let’s make some minor changes to the boxes.
23. Move to “7,5” and press <F3> to add a blank line.
24. To close the gaps in the sides of the box, use the box drawing technique to draw straight lines. Position the cursor at the top of the gap (6,5) and press <F7>. Move the cursor straight down one line and press <D>.
25. Move the cursor to the other gap and do the same thing.
Hint: If you are close to the edge of the screen and want to go across (up or down) move the cursor to the nearest edge and off. The cursor will “wrap” to the other side of the screen.
26. Move to “11,75” and add another blank line with <F3>. Use the box drawing function again to repair the gaps.
27. Move to “15,5”, add a line, and fill the gaps. To see what the data-entry screen will look like to the end user, press <F5>. The field indicators and field numbers disappear and the end-of-field markers are shown. To return to your data-entry screen, press <RETURN>.
28. Save your data-entry screen by pressing <ESC>.
Figure 6-1. “Customer” File Data—Entry Screen
The customer file screen is finished. Does it look like the illustration in Figure 6-1? Looks pretty good for your first attempt!
NOTE: The two fields on the screen not in the file structure; fields “aa” and “ab”. These variables (which we call “dummy fields”) will hold information which will be generated by a processing table (program) which we will write next.
Don’t worry if you can’t remember all the keystrokes involved in defining screens; help is always available by pressing <F10>.
29. Now press <X> to return to the main menu.