Re: Multiple subfiles and control records on one screen

[Martin Rowe <martin@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Friday 21 June 2002 3:57 am, Dave Murvin wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am working on a screen design that will use two subfiles, two subfile
> control records (with input fields), plus another record with input
> fields.  After laying this out in a word document for review by the
> users, I am starting to have doubts that I can make it work easily for
> the end users.  A rough layout follows (line numbers are not on the
> screen):
[snip]
> I have been thinking that lines 1 through 12 would be the first subfile
> and control record, 13 through 17 the second subfile and control
> record, and 18 through 23 as the final format.
>
> I am having trouble visualizing how I am going to get this to actually
> work, or if I can get it to work in a way that the users would find
> usable.  How would a user navigate through this screen? If I am trying
> to use exfmt for each portion of the screen, how would I handle that?
> If my program is waiting on an exfmt for the top subfile and control
> record (lines 1 - 12), how would I know if the user entered anything
> into some other portion of the display?  Although this screen gives the
> user an overall view of the disposition, should I break it up into
> three smaller screens instead?  This screen is already  the third of
> three screens for the application and would be reached by pressing a
> function key on the first screen.
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance for the help.

Hi Dave

(any follow-ups would probably be more relevant to RPG400-L)

It sounds doable. We have a similar application that users seem to find
okay - at least I've not had any complaints in the eight years they've
been using it ;) Instead of using EXFMT, just use WRITE & READ like this

     C                     WRITEFOOTER1
     C                     WRITEMSFLC                      MSG SUBFILE
     C                     WRITESFLCTL1
     C                     WRITESFLCTL2
     C                     READ SFLCTL1                  75
     C                     READ SFLCTL2                  75

Using the RTNCSRLOC DDS keyword your app can determine which record
format the cursor is in when the user scrolls, and do the magic with the
right subfile. If you want to see an example in action, have a look at
http://www.dbg400.net/extras.html and look for EMS. Look at members
EMSRG010 (RPG) and EMSDF010 (DSPF) in ALLSRCMBRS in the download package
http://www.dbg400.net/download/extras/ems/emscode.zip

Regards, Martin
--
martin@dbg400.net  jamaro@firstlinux.net  http://www.dbg400.net    /"\
DBG/400 - DataBase Generation utilities - AS/400 / iSeries Open    \ /
Source free test environment tools and others (file/spool/misc)     X
Debian GNU/Linux | ASCII Ribbon Campaign against HTML mail & news  / \