3.2 Using Data Entry Forms

Data entry is done using a form displayed on the screen. Form is the command that displays a data entry screen. The syntax for this command is:

c:\> form [-qfuadk] lformfile

where form is the command, -qfuadvk are the flags, and lformfile refers to the name of the formfile. Lformfile can be a logical formfile name, or the path name of a formfile.

The flags provide the capability to perform controlled activity on a file while in the data entry form. Descriptions of these flags are as follows:

Table 3-1                              

                                       

Flag Description                        

                                       

                                       

-q QUERY allowed                        

                                       

-f FIND allowed                         

                                       

-u UPDATED allowed                      

                                       

-a ADD allowed                          

                                       

-d DELETE allowed                       

                                       

-v selected modes allowed               

 while in VALIDATION form               

                                       

-k interrupt key enabled                

                                       

These flags may be grouped in any order to provide customized activity on a particular form. For instance, if you want to allow only QUERY and FIND activities to the operator, the corresponding form command would read:

c:\> form -qf lformfile

and if QUERY, FIND, and UPDATE are the only allowable activities, then the command would read:

c:\> form -qfu lformfile

(Note: The GOLD and EXIT functions are always allowed within a data entry form, as is the NEXTFORM function when one form is followed by another. The STORE function is only allowed while the form is in UPDATE or ADD mode.)

The screen below is an example of what a data entry form might look like:

The form will normally have a heading. In this example, the heading of the form is Subscribers. Also on the form are various fields in which data may be entered. Each field has a heading that specifies what is to be entered there. There are two status lines at the bottom of the screen. The top status line tells the operator what operation is in progress and displays error messages. The bottom status line shows other functions that can be performed and the keystrokes to invoke them. In the above screen, the ADD function is being performed, and other available functions are STORE, HELP, and CANCEL.

When an error is detected, form writes a blinking error message in the top status line and beeps.

Form displays fields you can enter data into in reverse video. Such fields are shown in this manual as boxes.