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

74 Chapter3

INTRODUCTION TO FORMS DESIGN

EASE OF FORMS DESIGN

continues until the repeat option is changed.

Appended forms are particularly useful when the form is a single line that has an

indeterminate number of iterations. An order entry blank, for instance, could be designed

as a repeat/append form.

A form that repeats without the append option (R) is cleared each time the user presses

ENTER to enter data. For example, assume form X is a repeating form that overlays itself:

Note that this type of repeating form overlays itself even if there are other forms on the

screen.

The Next Form Option

You specify the name of the next form to be displayed after the current form or keep the

default of $HEAD. You may also specify whether the next form is to be appended to the

current form (A); and, if appended, whether the current form is to remain frozen on the

screen when the screen ﬁlls up (F). If the screen is to be cleared before the next form is

displayed, keep the default of C.

The following examples illustrate how freeze (F) and append (A) interact with the current

form. Assume a current form X and a next form Y. The next form (Y) is deﬁned on its own

Form Menu as a repeating form appended to itself (repeat option = A for Append).

1. Current Form X -- Repeat Option = N

Next Form Option = C

Next Form Y -- Repeat Option = A

Form X is displayed, then after

ENTER, the screen is cleared and form Y is displayed.

After the next

ENTER, Y is repeated below itself until the user presses NEXT or the

application changes the repeat option.

X(1)X(1)

X(2)

X(1)

X(2)

X(3)

X(1) X(2) X(3)

Y(1)

Y(2)

Y(1)

Y(2)

Y(3)

screen cleared before next form