This chapter explains how to use toolkit to create forms and formfiles similar to those you used in the previous chapters. After you have created the formfiles, they will be accessed and run from within a menu that you create following the instructions given in Chapter 6, Creating the Demonstration System Menu. Since this section explains how to create new data entry and manipulation forms, you should be familiar with Chapter 2, Using the Demonstration Subscription System, which describes the various components of the Demonstration Subscription System. Because the RMSfiles mag, script, and sub are referenced during the form development process, you will need to create these files now if you have not already done so. (Note: Information on creating RMSfiles is found in the preceding chapter, Chapter 3, Creating the Demonstration System Files.)
Once you have created the RMSfiles, a way to access them must be developed. A formfile may be produced for this purpose by using toolkit and its various menu selections. The information that defines a data entry form is stored in a formfile.
The Demonstration Subscription System requires data entry forms for the following RMSfiles:
mag - magazine file
script - subscription file
sub - subscriber file
The formfile used for entering the magazine information has only one form, and accesses only the single RMSfile, mag. This is the formfile processed when choice 1 - Enter Magazines is selected from the Demonstration Subscription System Menu.
The formfile for entering subscriber and subscription information consists of two forms, one accessing the RMSfile sub, and the other accessing the RMSfile script. This is the formfile processed when choice 2 - Enter Subscriptions is selected from the Demonstration Subscription System Menu. How this is done will become more apparent as you progress through this chapter.
Three basic steps are needed to create a data entry form.
1. Enter information about the form on the Form Description screen.
2. Layout the data entry form by entering background text (headings, field names, etc.) together with the actual fields on a blank development screen. You can move the cursor about freely within this screen so that background text or data fields may be placed in practically any location desired.
3. Enter information about each field on the Field Description screen.
As you complete and store each new Field Description screen is completed and stor- ed, the development screen is redisplayed with the new field in place, formatted exactly as its description specifies. The second and third steps are repeated until all the necessary fields have been entered.
Up to twenty different forms may be stored in one formfile. When more than one form is associated with a single formfile, the additional forms are created in the same manner.