***SPAM*** RE: popup update * show statements

[Richard Kreiss]

John,

This is not a problem.  I am already putting up custom prompts.  In some
case I have rolling prompts similar to what Scripset has years ago.  

I just need to check my working menu options as I have IUA *clerks with and
without the -d option.

-d actually make it easier for me to control visibly what is available to
the user.  I use a lot of @key functions.

Thanks for the reminder.

Richard



> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Esak [mailto:john at valar.com]
> Sent: Friday, January 08, 2010 9:47 PM
> To: rkreiss at gccconsulting.net; 'filePro List'
> Subject: ***SPAM*** RE: popup update * show statements
> 
> Richard,
> Unfortunately, I think you have run into one of the difficulties with
> original filePro design. You can get around it, but only with a hammer.  I
> started using this hammer about 10 or 15 years ago and I've never looked
> back or done it any other way ever since. You need the -d on your command
> line. In other words by putting the -d on the calling line filePro
"doesn't
> display" (is the best mnemonic I can think for it) all the default prompts
> at the times it normally displays these.  I know you've probably used the
-d
> a lot, but the times you don't that old behavior creeps up and hits you
when
> you least expect it.  There is only one drawback to using -d, and that is
> *you* must provide all the prompts yourself... And that entails taking
down
> prompts that are on the screen when you want a new prompt.  It all becomes
> second nature after a while, and your programs are SO much more usable
since
> at every point the prompt and the keys available can be displayed
precisely.
> I am absolutely anal about making sure this is always correct. In other
> words the user of my programs will never see a highlighted key-prompt if
it
> won't work. In other words if I popup a screen and there are prompts for
the
> screen under that popup which are not appropriate for that popup, I take
> down the old prompt and put up the new one.... Even for plain show
messages,
> I clear away non-appropriate prompts which remain. I give the user no
chance
> intimation that some key might work if it wont. Why? Because the user
really
> has no idea what a popup is, or a show message, or any idea at all how
> filePro is really working. If they see something that says H-hardcopy and
> its not going to work, then it shouldn't be visible, period.  There are
very
> limited times when I will put up an error message without clearing away
the
> underlying prompts... But not often.  If you think about it, you know that
> when an errorbox or mesgbox is up, the only key that will work is the
ENTER
> key so why leave up prompts like "Press ESC ESC to Record, DEL to Cancel."
> or similar.  Neither of those keys will work while the message is up
waiting
> for the ENTER key, so I take the trouble to cls("21") just before putting
up
> the errorbox/mesgbox and then immediately after they press ENTER I put
back
> up the previous prompt, or whatever is appropriate.
> 
> I know the -d key (don't display prompts) has a huge impact on how the
> application looks, and I know it takes a lot of programming to put every
> prompt up myself, but if I had to pick the single reason why my
applications
> look like applications instead of looking like "filePro"... The -d key is
> it. It allows you to provide the definitive touch of professionalism to
the
> apps you write.  It's worth it.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: filepro-list-bounces+john=valar.com at lists.celestial.com
> > [mailto:filepro-list-bounces+john=valar.com at lists.celestial.co
> m] On Behalf Of Richard Kreiss
> > Sent: Friday, January 08, 2010 5:01 PM
> > To: 'filePro List'
> > Subject: popup update * show statements
> >
> > I am moving address fields from the primary data screen in a
> > file.  One
> > piece of information that the record holds is an address.  To
> > make room on
> > the primary screen, I moved the address information to a popup screen.
> >
> > This screen is editable.
> >
> > Popup update -,"pop_address",24;CLEARP;SAVE
> >
> > @wef24 if:
> > Then: Show 'Enter Name";END
> >
> > Problem: Show statement does not appear.  Just F10-Save
> > ESC-Cancel.  This is
> > not a prompt I am putting up.
> >
> > Anyone know why my show statement is not working?
> >
> > I can replace the show with show popup("18","-1") "Enter
> > Name" and then
> > CLEARS to clear it.
> >
> >
> > Richard Kreiss
> > GCC Consulting
> > rkreiss at gccconsulting.net
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Filepro-list mailing list
> > Filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> > http://mailman.celestial.com/mailman/listinfo/filepro-list
> >
>