HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
Entering and Editing Data
When HP ALLBASE/4GL first displays a data screen, it highlights the first
data input field on the screen. HP ALLBASE/4GL positions the cursor at
the first data entry column in the field.
You can enter data from the keyboard to the highlighted field.
HP ALLBASE/4GL accepts input from the terminal via MPE/iX's character
mode, line mode. HP ALLBASE/4GL uses Return and Tab as read terminator
characters. Therefore, HP ALLBASE/4GL does not process any of your input
until it receives a carriage return or tab character. Keep this general
rule in mind as you use HP ALLBASE/4GL screens. The next section
describes the various ways you can enter, edit, and move between fields
on a data screen.
Editing a Field
You can use any of the following terminal keys to edit data or to move
the cursor within a data entry field:
* The Insert char key toggles insert mode on or off. When you are
in insert mode, typing a character inserts the character in front
of the cursor, between existing characters. This causes all
characters to the right of the cursor to move across the field by
one character (up to the end of the field) each time you insert a
character. Characters moved past the end of the field are lost.
* The Delete char key deletes the character at the cursor.
* The Backspace key moves the cursor one column to the left within
the current field. Moving the cursor back past the left edge of
the field has no effect on the field.
* The left arrow key moves the cursor one column to the left within
the current field. Moving the cursor back past the left edge of
the field has no effect on the field.
* The right arrow key moves the cursor one column to the right
within the current field. Moving the cursor past the right edge
of the field has no effect on the field.
_________________________________________________________________
NOTE If you enter data after moving the cursor outside the
current field, the cursor is immediately returned to the
start of the field and the data entry begins from there.
_________________________________________________________________
* The Clear line key clears the current field from the cursor
position to the right end of the field.
* The Clear display key clears the current field from the cursor
position to the right end of the field. If you press the Return
key immediately following the Clear display key, HP ALLBASE/4GL
additionally clears all input fields from the current field to the
bottom of the screen.
* The Insert Line Return key sequence moves the contents of the
current field to the next field to the right or below the current
field provided that the next field has the same edit code and
length as the current field. The current contents of the next
field are shuffled to the following field if the same conditions
apply. The contents of the last field in the sequence is lost.
* The Delete line Return key sequence deletes the contents of the
current field. If the next field to the right or below has the
same edit code and length as the current field, this key shuffles
the contents of the next field into the current field.
Committing a Field Entry
Complete each field by entering the required data and pressing one of the
keys listed below to initiate a field commit action. When you initiate a
field commit action, the system processes the current field entry and
activates the next appropriate field.
Entering and Editing Data
If the field commit action you initiate commits the last field on the
screen, the system processes the data in the field and the cursor remains
in the field. You can then press the Commit Data function key to
terminate the screen.
The Return Key
The Return key initiates a field commit action for the current field and
moves the cursor to the start of the next field in the tabbing sequence.
If there is no input field past the current field, the current field is
processed and the cursor remains on the current field.
The Tab Key
Pressing the Tab key initiates a field commit action for the current
field and moves the cursor to the start of the next field in the tabbing
sequence. If there is no input field past the current field, the current
field is processed and the cursor remains on the current field.
Correcting Mistakes
If you attempt to commit a field that contains invalid data, HP
ALLBASE/4GL displays an error message and highlights the field containing
the invalid data so you can correct the mistake. If you wish, you can
clear the field and move the cursor to a previous field. You cannot move
the cursor past the field containing the invalid data.
Moving Between Data Fields
By using the cursor keys, the Shift Tab key combination, or a
touchscreen, you can move to a data field other than the next one in the
normal forward sequence.
Using the Cursor Control Keys.
* You can use the up arrow, down arrow, left arrow, and right arrow
keys to move the cursor to a position outside the current field.
When you press the Return key, the current field is committed and
the field closest to the cursor is made the current field. If you
enter any data, between moving the cursor and pressing the Return
key, the cursor movement is ignored and the new data is entered
from the first column of the current field.
* The home arrow Return sequence initiates a field commit action for
the current field and moves the cursor to the first input field in
the tabbing sequence.
* Pressing Shift and home arrow together followed by Return
initiates a field commit action for the current field, and moves
the cursor to the last input field in the tabbing sequence. If
the cursor is already at the last field in the tabbing sequence,
the field is processed and the cursor remains on the current
field.
The Shift Tab Combination
Pressing Shift and Tab together followed by Return initiates a field
commit action for the current field, and moves the cursor to the start of
the previous field in the tabbing sequence if the cursor is at the first
column of the current field.
If the cursor is not at the first column in the current field, the system
moves the cursor to the first column in the field. In this case there is
no need to press the Return key to initiate the movement. Since the
cursor does not leave the current field, a field commit is not initiated.
HP Touchscreen Terminals.
Touch the screen at or near the field where you want to enter or edit
data. HP ALLBASE/4GL responds to this request immediately. The current
field is committed and the field closest to the point you touch becomes
the current field and is highlighted.
Committing Screens
When you have finished entering data on a data screen, you must press the
Commit Data function key to confirm your entries and terminate
processing of the screen.
When you press the Commit Data function key, the system initiates a
field commit action for the current field (that is, the field occupied by
the cursor) if it hasn't already been committed, or it contains data that
is different from the data it contained at the time of the last field
commit action for the field.