HP Data Entry and Forms Management System (VPLUS) Reference Manual (32209-90024)

Chapter 3 113
INTRODUCTION TO FORMS DESIGN
USING FORMSPEC TO CREATE AN ARB
Options GEN (Generate) Create an ARB from scratch, containing a field for each
field on the form. The sequence of the fields accords with
their sequence on the form, and can be altered using the
Restructure ARB Menu Figure 3-29. The type and length
of the fields are determined by comparing the screen
attributes with the data conversion record. They can be
changed using the ARB Field Menu.
This option is only valid if no ARB exists for the form.
RES (Restructure) Display the current ARB, showing the sequence of fields.
Allows the designer to add, delete, move and rename fields
using the Restructure ARB Menu.
MOD (Modify) Modify the length and data type of the designated field in
the ARB, using the ARB Field Menu.
DEL (Delete) Delete the entire ARB. If you want to make a lot of
changes to the fields on a form, it is usually better to
delete the existing ARB and generate a new one once the
form has been altered. If you copy or delete a form, the
corresponding ARB will be copied or deleted as well.
Table 3-11. shows how an alteration made to the form will affect the ARB, if at all.
Table 3-11. Form/ARB Relationships
Form ARB
Adding a form… Does not add an associated ARB.
Copy a form… Copies the associated ARB.
Renaming a form… Renames the associated ARB.
Deleting a form… Deletes the associated ARB.
Changing a form:
- adding a field…
Does not add it to the ARB once the ARB has been created, unless you
create a new ARB.
- changing a field… Changes the screen length and screen data type on the ARB, but does not
affect the ARB field length and data type.
- deleting a field… Changes the corresponding ARB field to a "filler" field.
No effect on form… Add, change delete ARB or the fields in it.
Form can exist without an
ARB.
ARB cannot exist without a form.