HP 3000 Manuals

HP Data Entry and Forms Mgmt. Sys. (VPLUS) Technical Addendum

Using FORMSPEC with SNA DHCF/XL 

You can compile a forms file for an IBM 3270 and any HP terminal that
supports VPLUS on MPE/V or MPE/XL by selecting the desired terminals from
the Terminal/Language Selection Menu and ensuring that the forms file
adheres to IBM 3270 requirements.  You must compile a forms file for at
least one HP terminal family as well as an IBM 3270.  The HP terminal
family can consist of an HP 262X, HP 264X, or both types.

Certain FORMSPEC block-mode components prohibit you from running FORMSPEC
interactively on an IBM 3270 display station while using SNA DHCF/XL.
However, you can use FORMSPEC batch commands on an IBM 3270.  Refer to
chapter 7 in the VPLUS Reference Manual (32209-90001) for information
about using FORMSPEC in batch mode.

The following procedure provides a hypothetical example that uses
FORMSPEC to modify a VPLUS form application for an SNA DHCF/XL session.

   1.  Run FORMSPEC and select the Terminal/Language Selection menu from
       the Main menu.

   2.  Select the IBM 3270 and at least one of the HP terminal families
       by typing an X at the corresponding fields, as shown in Figure
       1-1.  Even if your application is written strictly for the IBM
       3270, you must also select an HP terminal on this menu.  This
       enables you to display a form on an HP terminal for diagnostic
       purposes if problems arise with the form when displayed on an IBM
       3270.


          Figure 1-1.  Terminal/Language Selection Menu 

   3.  Press Enter after you have selected the desired terminals.  If SNA
       DHCF/XL is not installed on your system, FORMSPEC responds by
       displaying the message, SNA DHCF/XL required to compile a forms
       file for IBM 3270 terminals.  You must then either remove the IBM
       3270 selection or make sure that SNA DHCF/XL is installed on your
       system.

       If SNA DHCF/XL is installed, FORMSPEC responds by displaying the
       Globals menu as shown in Figure 1-2.  Note that the Window Display
       Line shows the default of line 24.


          Figure 1-2.  Globals Menu 

   4.  Change the number of the Window Display Line field to 0 (no window
       line), 1 (window line at top line of screen), or 22 (window line
       at line 22 above labels).  If you inadvertently press Enter 
       without changing this field, FORMSPEC responds by displaying the
       error message shown in Figure 1-3.


          Figure 1-3.  Error Message in Globals Menu 

       If this message appears, correct the error by specifying 0, 1, or
       22 for the Window Display Line field and press Enter.  FORMSPEC
       responds by displaying the Save Field menu.

   5.  Create or modify one or more forms.  When you compile the form(s),
       you may encounter an error message.  Figure 1-4 shows one of the
       possible error messages for form ADD, which involves the attribute
       byte explained earlier in this chapter.


          Figure 1-4.  Error Message When Compiling 

   6.  Go to form ADD and press Enter to determine the nature of the
       error.  FORMSPEC responds by displaying an explanatory message
       about the error as shown in Figure 1-5.


          Figure 1-5.  Error Message in Form 

       In this example, the field "D" must be moved at least one column
       to the right.  Moving this field allows space for the attribute
       byte between the colon and the beginning of the field.  After
       correcting the error, recompile the form.

MPE/iX 5.0 Documentation