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V7FF8CNV Operation

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  1. Use the STORE command or SYSGEN to back up the forms file.

  2. Configure your terminal for 8-bit operation. Refer to the System Startup, Configuration, and Shutdown Reference Manual for information on peripheral configuration.

  3. RUN V7FF8CNV.PUB.SYS, stepping through each form, field definition, save field, and function key label. As each screen is presented on the terminal, 7-bit substitution characters have already been converted to their ROMAN8 equivalent.

  4. If the data is correct, press Enter and proceed to the next screen. If not, correct the data, then press Enter to continue.

  5. After all screens are converted, recompile the forms file as usual.

Conversion applies to substitution characters found in all source record VPLUS/XL forms files with the following exception: substitution characters for "[" and "]" are not converted in screen source records since these indicate start and stop of data fields. The following would be converted:

  • Text in screens.

  • Function key labels.

  • Initial values in save field definitions.

  • Initial values in field definitions.

  • Literals in processing specifications.

Alternate Character Sets

Hewlett-Packard block mode terminals, which have the capability of handling all or part of ROMAN8, can be divided into two groups. The group differentiation is based on how they handle alternate character sets when configured for 8-bit operation.

Files using alternate character sets on one group of terminals will not display correctly on the terminals of the other group, even when terminals from both groups are configured for 8-bit operation.

The use of characters from an alternate set affects the conversion procedure. If the forms file does contain characters from an alternate character set, choose one of the following alternatives:

  • Eliminate the use of alternate character sets (either with FORMSPEC or while running V7FF8CNV).

  • Define alternate character sets to appear correctly on Group 1 terminals. This happens automatically when V7FF8CNV is run from a Group 1 terminal. Characters from these alternate sets will appear as USASCII characters on a Group 2 terminal.

Group 1 - HP 2392A, 2625A, 2627A, 2628A, 2700, and 150

Use shift-out and shift-in characters to switch back and forth between an 8-bit base character set and an 8-bit alternate character set. This is standard for new Hewlett-Packard terminals and printers.

Group 2 - HP 2622A, 2623A, 2626A, and 2382A

(Do not use an HP 2624A or HP 2624B, as they are unable to handle 8-bit characters properly.) Group Two terminals use the eighth bit to switch back and forth between a 7-bit base character set and a 7-bit alternate character set. It is not possible to get true 8-bit operation (ROMAN8) and use an alternate character set (for example, Line Draw) at the same time because the base character set is not really 8-bit, but 7-bit with the additional characters defined in the alternate character set. Using both 8-bit ROMAN8 characters and Line Draw in the same file is not recommended since the user must continually redefine the alternate character set, switching back and forth between Roman Extension and the line drawing character set. Shift-out and shift-in are ignored by the terminal and return to the alternate character set when the high-order bit is on.

Procedure Example

V7FF8CNV must be run on a terminal supported by VPLUS/XL which supports display of all characters, enhancements, and alternate character sets used in the forms. If alternate character sets are used, the HP 2392, 2625, 2627, 2628, 2700, or 150 are recommended.

The V7FF8CNV procedure is:

  1. Configure your terminal type properly for 8-bit operation by using the settings recommended in the System Startup, Configuration, and Shutdown Reference Manual.

  2. Run V7FF8CNV.PUB.SYS. Respond to prompts for the terminal group and the national substitution set.

  3. Press Next to begin going through the forms file.

  4. Press Enter after each screen until the end of the forms file is reached. Two exceptions are:

    1. Enter Y in Function key labels on each FORM MENU and the GLOBALS MENU to see and convert function key labels.

    2. On the field definition screen, if the processing specifications have converted data which you want to save, press the FIELD TOGGLE key, then Enter to save that conversion.

    If you try to redisplay a screen which has already been converted and this conversion has been saved by pressing Enter, a message Form contains 8 bit data will be displayed. Do not press Enter again, but continue through the forms file.

  5. Compile your forms file as usual.



Chapter 30 V7FF8CNV

Chapter 31 VERSION