UX/UI Objects – Page 2 – 4GL APPLICATION FRAMEWORK

WINDOW MOVE

Moves a window to a new location on the screen.

Syntax

WINDOW MOVE [window] TO position [EXPOSE|HIDE]

Parameters

window	Window can be name The name of an open window. The software looks up name in the currently accessed directories in the usual way. A compiled command using name contains the unambiguous name of the window (including a reference to an application directory) that was found at compile time. (expr ) A character string, or an expression that evaluates to a character string, that is to be used at run time as a window object name. The parentheses must be entered. A compiled command using (expr) can refer to many windows, at the risk of encountering an ambiguous window name (i.e., no directory specified when versions of the window are available in two or more directories). If neither name nor (expr) is specified, the current window is assumed.
position	Position specifies the new location of the upper edge and left-hand edge of the window, and also changes the values for the system variables ThisWindow.WindowRow and ThisWindow.WindowCol. A window’s position is always relative to its physical parent. The physical parent of a clipped window is another window (parentwin). The physical parent of a pop-up window is the terminal. If position is such that the window moves out of bounds, it is automatically adjusted so that the window remains entirely within the parent’s boundaries.
EXPOSE	(DEFAULT) Specifies that the window is to be displayed over any other active windows already on the screen.
HIDE	Specifies that the window is to be displayed beneath any other active windows already on the screen.

Comments

The WINDOW MOVE command enables an application program to establish a new location for an open window.

If the specified window is active, it is displayed in its new position. If the window is open but not active, the WINDOW MOVE command establishes the position at which the window is to appear when activated.

Example

To move the window wStateCodes to a specified location, enter the following command:

window move wStateCodes to 200 400

See Also

FORM SET LIST

Setting Contents of List Boxes and Combo Boxes

Introduction

In this module, we will explore how to set the contents of list boxes and combo boxes in forms. This is a fundamental skill for creating dynamic and interactive web forms. We will cover two methods: using an expression and using a set.

Method 1: Using an Expression

Command: FORM SET LIST formfield LIST expression

Parameters:

formfield: The target list box or combo box in your form.
expression: A character string or an expression that evaluates to a character string. Items in the expression must be separated by semicolons.

Example:

form set list fCDLFind.FieldName \
list " ProdCode ; ProdDesc ; UnitPrice ; QOH ; MinQty"

In this example, the combo box fCDLFind.FieldName is populated with field names specified in the string.

Method 2: Using a Set

Command: FORM SET LIST formfield FROM [ num ] [ setspec ] [FORMAT expression]

Parameters:

formfield: The target list box or combo box in your form.
num: The number of items to set in the list box or combo box. This can be an integer, a variable, or the word ALL.
setspec: A set specification whose members are used to set the contents of the list box or combo box. If omitted, the current set is used.
expression: An expression to format each item. This can be omitted if setspec is an unstructured application document.

Example:

form set list fCustomer.StateTab from states sorted by StCode \
format $ concat(StCode, " ", StDesc)

In this example, the list box fCustomer.StateTab is populated with state codes followed by state names, sorted by StCode.

Key Points to Remember

When using an expression, ensure items are separated by semicolons.
When using a set, you can specify the number of items and format each item using an expression.
Data populated from a set is left-justified regardless of data type.

Practice Exercise

Try setting the contents of a list box in your form using both methods. Experiment with different expressions and sets to see how the contents change.

See Also

WINDOW OPEN

Opens a window for use in subsequent window-handling commands.

Syntax

WINDOW OPEN [window] [AT position] [SIZE winsize] [FOR form] [IN parent]

Parameters

window	Window can be: name The name of the window that you want to open. Zim looks up the name in the currently accessed directories in the usual way. A compiled WINDOW OPEN command using name contains the unambiguous name of the window (including a reference to an application directory) that was found at compile time. (expr) A character string or an expression that evaluates to a character string that is to be used at run time as the name of the window. The parentheses must be entered. A compiled WINDOW OPEN command using (expr) can refer to many windows, at the risk of encountering an ambiguous window name (i.e., no directory specified when versions of the window are available in two or more directories). WINDOW OPEN cannot be used to open a window defined in a foreign directory.
position	Position can be: row col Numbers or expressions that evaluate to numbers. Complex expressions must be enclosed in parentheses. Specify the location of the window by explicitly setting the row and column in pixels for the upper left-hand corner of the window. position Specifies the position of the window by giving a general placement instruction. Can be TOP, TOP LEFT, TOP RIGHT, CENTER, LEFT, RIGHT, BOTTOM, BOTTOM LEFT, or BOTTOM RIGHT. For pop-up windows, the specified location is relative to the screen. For clipped windows, the location is relative to the client area of the parent window.
winsize	Size can be: height width Numbers, or expressions that evaluate to numbers. Height identifies the height, in pixels, of the window’s client area; width identifies the width, in pixels, of the window’s client area. MAXIMIZE Opens a clipped window so that it fills the client area of parentwin, or a pop-up window so that it fills the screen. MINIMIZE Opens a clipped window so that it appears as an icon near the bottom, left-hand corner of parentwin, or a pop-up window so that it appears as an icon near the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.
form	Form is the name of a form or display on which the logical dimensions of the window are based. Can be: formname Where formname is a form (or display) object name. The software looks up formname in the currently accessed directories in the usual way. A compiled WINDOW OPEN command using formname contains the unambiguous name of the form (including a reference to an application directory) that was found at compile time. (expr) A character string, or an expression that evaluates to a character string, that is to be used at run time as a form object name. The parentheses must be entered. The name of the form is determined at run time. A compiled WINDOW OPEN command using (expr) can refer to many forms, at the risk of encountering an ambiguous form name (i.e., no directory specified when versions of the form are available in two or more directories). The FOR clause overrides the default logical dimensions of the window object.
parent	Parent is the name of an open window that is to be the parent of the window being opened. The child window must have the attribute Clipped To Parent set. Can be: name The name of the parent window. The software looks up name in the currently accessed directories in the usual way. A compiled WINDOW OPEN command using name contains the unambiguous name of the window (including a reference to an application directory) that was found at compile time. (expr) A character string, or an expression that evaluates to a character string, that is to be used at run time as the name of the parent window. The parentheses must be entered. A compiled WINDOW OPEN command using (expr) can refer to many windows, at the risk of encountering an ambiguous window name (i.e., no directory specified when versions of the window are available in two or more directories).

Comments

WINDOW OPEN opens the specified window and establishes its initial position and its physical and logical dimensions.

The window being OPENed becomes the current window, but it does not automatically appear on the screen. To appear on the screen, the window must be activated either explicitly by a WINDOW ACTIVATE command, or implicitly by an input request (e.g., FORM INPUT, INPUT, MENU INPUT).

WINDOW OPEN makes the window available for output. Forms can be open and displayed in the window, and output from commands such as REPORT FROM, LIST, OUTPUT, and so on, can be sent to the window. The output appears only when the window is activated.

If the AT clause is omitted, the window appears at the position defined for it in the Object Dictionary.

A window’s position is always relative to its physical parent. The physical parent of a clipped window is another window (parentwin). The physical parent of a pop-up window is the terminal.

If the arguments to the AT clause are such that the window opens out of bounds, the position is adjusted automatically so that the window remains entirely within the parent’s boundaries.

If the SIZE clause is omitted, the dimensions of the window’s client area are determined from the window’s definition in the Object Dictionary.

If either dimension in a SIZE clause is negative, the window is sized to maximize the associated dimension within parentwin with respect to the specified row and col position.

If the FOR clause is omitted, the logical dimensions of the window are determined from the window’s definition in the Object Dictionary.

If the IN clause is omitted, the newly opened window automatically becomes a “child” of the application window (BACKSCREEN).

The IN clause tells Zim to clip the window being opened to the parent, provided that the child window has the Clipped to Parent attribute set. Otherwise, the child window will be opened as usual.

WINDOW OPEN [re]sets the fields of the ThisWindow system variable.

See Also

FORM SET DYNAMICLIST

Dynamic Multi-Column List Box: Elevate Your Data Presentation

What is it?

Our Dynamic Multi-Column List Box is a versatile tool designed to display large datasets in a clean, organized, and interactive manner. Perfect for web applications that require efficient data handling and presentation.

Key Features

Dynamic Data Loading: Fetches data on demand from your database, ensuring that the information displayed is always current and accurate.
Multi-Column Support: Display multiple columns of data, each with customizable headings and content.
User-Friendly Formatting:
- Text Fields: Left-justified for easy reading.
- Numeric Fields: Centered for a balanced look.
- Column Headings: Always left-justified for consistency.
Adjustable Column Widths: Easily modify column widths to fit your data perfectly using the $tocharacter(<fieldname>, length) function.
Interactive Scrolling: Supports both horizontal and vertical scrolling, allowing users to navigate through large datasets effortlessly.

Technical Implementation

Syntax:

FORM SET DYNAMICLIST <formfield> FROM <setname>
FORMAT <expression1> [HEADING <expression2>]
[<expression1_n> [HEADING <expression2_n>]]

Parameters:

formfield: The form field in your web application, set up as a dynamic multi-column list box.
expression1: The content for the first column.
expression2: The heading for the first column.
expression1_n: The content for the nth column.
expression2_n: The heading for the nth column.

Example Use Case

Imagine you want to display a list of customers with their first and last names in a form called myform that includes a dynamic list box named dynalist. Here’s how you can set it up:

find all customers -> custset

form set dynamiclist myform.dynalist from custset format firstname lastname heading "SurName"

This setup will dynamically load and display the first and last names of all customers, with “SurName” as the heading for the last name column.

Why Choose Our Dynamic Multi-Column List Box?

Efficiency: Handles large datasets without compromising performance.
Flexibility: Customizable to fit your specific data presentation needs.
User Experience: Enhances user interaction with smooth scrolling and adjustable columns.

Upgrade your data presentation with our Dynamic Multi-Column List Box and provide your users with a seamless and interactive experience.

WINDOW SCROLL

Scrolls an open window horizontally or vertically under application program control.

Syntax

WINDOW SCROLL [window] action

Parameters

window

Window can be
name
The name of the window that you want to open. The software looks up name in the currently accessed directories in the usual way. A compiled WINDOW OPEN command using name contains the unambiguous name of the window (including a reference to an application directory) that was found at compile time.
(expr )
A character string, or an expression that evaluates to a character string, that is to be used at run time as the name of the window. The parentheses must be entered.
A compiled WINDOW OPEN command using (expr) can refer to many windows, at the risk of encountering an ambiguous window name (i.e., no directory specified when versions of the window are available in two or more directories).
WINDOW OPEN cannot be used to open a window defined in a foreign directory.

action

Can be
TO row col
UP n | DOWN n
LEFT n | RIGHT n
PAGEUP | PAGEDOWN
JUMPUP | JUMPDOWN
JUMPLEFT | JUMPRIGHT
HOME | END
In TO row col, row and col are integers or expressions that evaluate to integers. Complex expressions must be enclosed in parentheses. Row identifies the character row at which the top of the client area is to be positioned; col identifies the character column at which the left side of the client area is to be positioned. Valid values are 1 through the maximum number of rows or columns in the current window’s presentation space. A value of -1 for row or col indicates that no scrolling is to occur.

SCROLLING ACTION	SCROLL DIRECTION AND MAGNITUDE
UP n	In UP n, n is a number or an expression that evaluates to an number. Scrolls the window n rows up over its presentation space.
DOWN n	In DOWN n, n is a number or an expression that evaluates to an number. Scrolls the window n rows down over its presentation space.
LEFT n	In LEFT n, n is a number or an expression that evaluates to an number. Scrolls the window n columns left over its presentation space.
RIGHT n	In RIGHT n, n is a number or an expression that evaluates to an number. Scrolls the window n columns right over its presentation space.
PAGEUP	PAGEUP scrolls the window one client-area-height up over its presentation space.
PAGEDOWN	PAGEDOWN scrolls the window one client-area-height down over its presentation space.
PAGELEFT	PAGELEFT scrolls left the current width of the client area.
PAGERIGHT	PAGERIGHT scrolls right the current width of the client area.
JUMPUP	JUMPUP scrolls the window one half a client-area-height up over its presentation space.
JUMPDOWN	JUMPDOWN scrolls the window one half a client-area-height down over its presentation space.
JUMPLEFT	JUMPLEFT scrolls the window one half a client-area-width left over its presentation space.
JUMPRIGHT	JUMPRIGHT scrolls the window one half a client-area-width right over its presentation space.
HOME	HOME matches the top, left-hand corner of the client area to the top, left-hand corner of the presentation space.
END	END matches the bottom, right-hand corner of the client area to the bottom, right-hand corner of the presentation space.

Note: In all cases, n is a number, or an expression that evaluates to a number, indicating the number of character rows or character columns to scroll in the specified direction.

Comments

Under program control, the WINDOW SCROLL command scrolls the client area of the current window over its presentation space to enable the application user to see a part of the window contents that was not visible. The scrolling action occurs just as if the application user had initiated the same action.

See Also

FORM SET

Dynamically Modifying Form Attributes

Syntax #1: Changing Attributes of Open Forms or Fields

Command: FORM SET («option») «object»

Parameters:

option:
- [NOT] ABBREVIATE, [NOT] AUTOCLEAR, [NOT] AUTOSKIP, [UN] AVAILABLE, [NOT] BOLD, [NOT] CLICK, [NOT] DOUBLECLICK, EVENT eventName, FILLCOLOR color, FONT fontname, [NOT] GOTFOCUS, GUARDED, [NOT] IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED, [IN]VISIBLE, [NOT] ITALIC, LABEL label, [NOT] LOSTFOCUS, [NOT] LOSTFOCUSMODIFIED, [NOT] MODIFIED, MOUSEPOINTER fileName, NORMAL, PENCOLOR color, POINTSIZE n, PROTECTED, [NOT] REQUIRED, RESET, [NOT] REVERSE, [NOT] RIGHTCLICK, [NOT] SCROLL, SCROLL LINE n, SCROLL MAX n, SCROLL MIN n, SCROLL PAGE n, [NOT] STRIKEOUT, [NOT] SUPPRESS, [NOT] VALIDATE, VERB verbName, VISIBLE, [NOT] UNDERLINE
- Except for NORMAL and RESET, each option affects only one attribute.
object:
- form: Name of an open form or display in the current window. Specify a particular instance by appending the instance number in brackets.
- formfield: Name of a form field. Specify a particular instance by appending the instance number in brackets.
- ([exp1], [exp2], [exp3]): Positive integers or expressions evaluating to positive integers, identifying a particular form or form field. exp1 identifies the form number; exp2, the field number; exp3, the instance of the form or form field.

Syntax #2: Applying Attributes to Form Fields with Focus

Command: FORM SET («option») CURSOR

Parameters:

option:
- [NOT] BOLD, FILLCOLOR color, [IN]VISIBLE, [NOT] ITALIC, NORMAL, PENCOLOR color, [NOT] REVERSE, [NOT] STRIKEOUT, [NOT] SUPPRESS, [NOT] UNDERLINE
- Except for NORMAL, each option affects only one attribute.
CURSOR: Options are dynamically added to a form field when it gains focus and restored to the previous appearance when it loses focus.

Comments

NORMAL: Sets objects to an unsuppressed, visible, and non-reversed condition.
RESET: Resets objects to their initial state when the forms were opened.
Scrollbars:
- MIN and MAX values define the range of acceptable values.
- LINE represents the amount of space the thumb “jumps” when arrows are clicked.
- PAGE represents the size of the thumb, usually a percentage of one “line”.

Example Commands

Setting attributes of fields:

  form set (reset) fAddEmp.EmpNum
  form set (italic lostfocus) fAddEmp.EmpNum
  form set (not lostfocus) fAddEmp.EmpNum
  form set (lostfocus) fAddEmp.EmpNum
  form set (bold) cursor  % displays the focus field in bold font

Setting attributes of forms:

  form set (reset) fAddEmp[3]
  form set (italic) (2,,3)
  form set (not scroll not required lostfocus) fEmps

Setting scrollbar attributes:

  form set (scroll page 8) fFileDir.UpDnBar
  form set (scroll max 50) fFileDir.LfRtBar

WINDOW SET

Syntax

WINDOW SET (<option>) [window]

Modifies the individual attributes of opened windows.

Example

WINDOW OPEN <name>
WINDOW SET (label "Whatever Title you want to use")

Parameters

option

Options that affect certain window attributes. Can be
[UN]AVAILABLE
BORDER color
[NOT] CLOSED
FILLCOLOR color
FONT expr
[NOT] FUNCTIONKEYS
[NOT] GOTFOCUS
LABEL expr
MOUSEPOINTER fileName
[NOT] LOSTFOCUS
[NOT] MESSAGES
[NOT] MODAL
PENCOLOR color
POINTSIZE expr
STATUSBARTEXT statusBarText
TABORDER BY setting

window

Window can be
name
The name of the window that you want to open. The software looks up name in the currently accessed directories in the usual way. A compiled WINDOW OPEN command using name contains the unambiguous name of the window (including a reference to an application directory) that was found at compile time.
(expr )
A character string, or an expression that evaluates to a character string, that is to be used at run time as the name of the window. The parentheses must be entered.
If neither name nor expr is specified, the current window is assumed.

Option	Description
[UN]AVAILABLE	Indicates if the application user can initiate a focus shift to the window.
BORDER color	Sets the border color.
[NOT] CLOSED	Indicates if the specified event causes a callback.
FILLCOLOR color	Sets the background color.
FONT expr	Sets the font.
FUNCTIONKEYS ON \| OFF	Controls pre-defined accelerator keys.
[NOT] GOTFOCUS	Indicates if the specified event causes a callback.
LABEL expr	Establishes the window’s label.
[NOT] LOSTFOCUS	Indicates if the specified event causes a callback.
MESSAGES ON \| OFF	Controls the display of help and error messages.
[NOT] MODAL	Controls if the window is a modal window.
PENCOLOR color	Sets the foreground color.
POINTSIZE expr	Sets the point size of the font.
TABORDER BY setting	Specifies how focus moves in the window. Can be TABINDEX (based on the form field’s sequence number), FIELDNUM (based on field identification number), ROWCOL (left to right), or COLROW (top to bottom).

Comments

The attributes changed are only applicable to an opened window. After the window is closed, all attributes set are lost. Opening subsequent windows will not inherit attributes set to previous windows.

If there is no opened window, the attribute settings are ignored.

The WINDOW SET command changes certain window attributes whose default states are defined in the Object Dictionary.

See Also

The Status Bar

FORM OPEN

Opens a form or display in the current window.

Syntax

FORM OPEN [object][ NOCLEAR][ NOGUIUSE]

Parameters

object

name: The name of the form or display to be opened.

(expr): A character string, or an expression that evaluates to a character string, to be used at run time as the name of the form or display.
Using (expr) enables one FORM OPEN command to specify different forms or displays, at the risk of encountering an ambiguous name.

FORM OPEN (expr) cannot be used to open forms defined in a foreign directory.

NOCLEAR The values currently assigned to the constituent form fields are to be retained.
If omitted, each form field value is reset to its default.

NOGUIUSE The current form or display is opened for internal use only and is never displayed.
It is intended for the performance improvement whenever forms are used as arrays in memory.
Any attempt to display these objects will be ignored.
Other operations are accepted as usual.

Comments

The FORM OPEN command initializes a form or display for use.
The form or display is displayed using the FORM DISPLAY command, and input is requested using the FORM INPUT command.

The form or display specified in a FORM OPEN command remains the current form in its window until a FORM OPEN, FORM CLOSE, or WINDOW CLOSE command is executed.
Each window has its own current form.

When a FORM OPEN command is executed, all ,em>form field attributes are reset to their defined values.
An exception is the field’s value, which is not reset if the NOCLEAR option is used.

The FORM OPEN command also establishes a form for use as an in-memory EntitySet.
When treated as an EntitySet, a standalone form has only one record.
The forms in a display have as many records as there are instances of a particular form in the display.

Examples

form open dAddEmps

Opens a display and resets all constituent form fields to their default values.

form open fAddEmps form display input form close : form open fAddDepts form display close : form open fAddEmps noclear form display

Opens a form and resets its field values, then displays the form and requests user input. Next, a second form is opened and displayed.
Finally, the first form is opened again, and the field values input earlier are re-displayed (because the NOCLEAR option was specified).

form open ($ concat(" fContracts", ContractType))

Opens a certain form dynamically by type.

See Also

FORM CLEAR

FORM CLOSE

FORM SET

FORM DISPLAY

Displays some or all of the form fields of the currently open form or display in the current window.

Syntax

FORM DISPLAY [ option ] [ object ]

Parameters

option

Can be
BELL
Sounds the terminal bell when the FORM DISPLAY command is executed. On older machines, the PC bell is rung. Newer machines must be equipped with a sound card and speakers in order for you to hear the bell.
INPUT
Shifts focus to the form and puts the application user in control of the interface after the FORM DISPLAY command is executed.
NOCLEAR
Prevents the contents of the window from being cleared before the FORM DISPLAY is carried out. Otherwise, the current window is cleared automatically.
NOLABEL
Prevents the contents of the current window from being cleared, and displays all specified fields that contain a visible value.
NOVAR
Prevents the contents of the current window from being cleared, and displays all specified fields that have no visible value.
PURGE
Specifies unprocessed input received before the form was displayed is to be ignored. Eliminates the possible effects of inadvertent keystrokes or mouse actions.

object

Can be
form
The name of the currently open form or display. Specify a particular instance of a form in brackets beside the object’s name.
formfield
The name of a particular form field within the currently open form or display. Specify a particular instance of a form field in brackets beside the form field’s name.
([exp1 ],[exp2 ],[exp3 ])
Positive integers or expressions that evaluate to positive integers, that identify a particular form or form field. Exp1 identifies the form number; exp2, the field number; exp3, the instance of the form or form field in the display. At a minimum, either exp1 or exp2 must be specified.

Comments

The current window must be activated (WINDOW ACTIVATE) for the displayed objects to be visible.
FORM DISPLAY displays form fields with values as they exist at the time the command is executed. If the application program changes the value of a field, the field must be re-displayed if the application user is to see the change.
A masked field that has no data value is displayed without the mask if the field is unavailable to the application user (i.e., protected or guarded). The mask of such a field is shown or suppressed when its availability changes (as a result of the FORM SET command).

Example

form display fGrandTot fInvItem.InvItemTot

Redisplays all fields of one form, and one field of another form.

form display input bell (2,,5)

Sounds the bell while re-displaying all form fields in the fifth instance of form number 2.
Name of the application directory in which the specified object can exist. If the dirname is omitted, the object can be created in any number of directories.

WINDOW ACTIVATE

Makes an open window available for viewing and interaction by the application user.

Syntax

WINDOW ACTIVATE [window] [EXPOSE|HIDE]

Parameters

window	Window can be name The name of an open window. The software looks up name in the currently accessed directories in the usual way. A compiled command using name contains the unambiguous name of the window (including a reference to an application directory) that was found at compile time. (expr ) A character string, or an expression that evaluates to a character string, that is to be used at run time as a window object name. The parentheses must be entered. A compiled command using (expr) can refer to many windows, at the risk of encountering an ambiguous window name (i.e., no directory specified when versions of the window are available in two or more directories). If neither name nor (expr) is specified, the current window is assumed.
EXPOSE	(DEFAULT) Specifies that the window is to be displayed over any other active windows already on the screen.
HIDE	Specifies that the window is to be displayed beneath any other active windows already on the screen.

Comments

WINDOW ACTIVATE makes an open window visible on the terminal screen so that the application user can interact with the window. Note, however, that an input request relating to an inactive window (from a FORM INPUT, INPUT, or MENU INPUT command) automatically activates that window.

WINDOW ACTIVATE does not make the specified window the current window. If the specified window is already the current window, it remains the current window.

Separating the opening of a window (WINDOW OPEN) from the presentation of a window to the application user (WINDOW ACTIVATE) enables you to prepare the window and its contents before making the window visible. Similarly, you can keep a window open for long periods of time, activating it only when needed.

Example

window open wContracts

menu open mContracts

menu display

form open fContracts

form display

window activate

Opens a window, and then opens and displays a menu and form in the window. Once the window is initialized, the WINDOW ACTIVATE command presents it to the application user.

window open wTrace

…other commands…

window activate wTrace

…other commands…

window deactivate wTrace

Activates a trace window when it is required.

See Also