Using VPLUS: An Introduction to Forms Design (32209-90004)

8-1
Chapter 8 Document Forms and Compile Fast Forms File
The sample forms file used in this exercise, called ORDFORM1, has now
been completely defined and is ready to use in production mode.
In this last section you list the entire forms file to the line printer
so that you have a formal definition of the file contents. But, before
you list it, you make one last set of changes to the file. By adding
comments to the field processing specifications in each field, you en-
able
forms designers responsible for maintenance of this file to understand
the specification logic. These comments appear both on the line printer
listing and when the Field Menus are displayed at the terminal; they are
ignored when the file is executed and do not change how the file
operates.
Finally, you compile the forms file to a new type of file, called a fast
forms file, that protects the forms from modification and may make the
execution of the file more efficient.
ENTRY also prints forms to a line printer, with or without data, in order
to have a listing that shows how the forms actually look on the screen.
Using ENTRY, you print an image of each form on the line printer. Then,
after entering data, you print the form with its data for each record of
a single order. This section illustrates the following features:
Using FORMSPEC: Using ENTRY:
* Add comments to processing specifications * Use PRINT to print
forms or records.
(Field Menu).
* List entire forms file or individual forms
(Main Menu).
* Compile to fast forms file (Main Menu).
_________________________________________________________________
| |
| :
RUN FORMSPEC.PUB.SYS |
_________________________________________________________________