RE: DSPF with lots of record formats

Or, perhaps more "usable", and IMO simpler, might be to have a placard with a printed operation (as in, "SET LOCATION", "SELECT ITEM", etc.), and a barcode format of the associated record format name. On the scanner, pressing F3 goes to a "Select format" screen, and then the operator scans the function he needs to perform.

The placard might be attached to their clipboard, or forklift, or whatever...

Lo tech, but simple to train...

-Eric DeLong

-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Booth Martin
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 6:28 PM
To: RPG programming on the IBM i / System i
Subject: Re: DSPF with lots of record formats

I'd be thinking along the lines of an additional counter field in each
record format that is output with the default next-record format number,
and can be changed by the user when there can be more than one
next-format choice.

dow wEOJ = *off;
select;
when lastfmt = 1;
exsr step1;
when lastfmt = 2;
exsr step2;
...
other;
exsr ???;
endsl;

each exsr would process the format, then update "lastfmt" with "nextfmt"
and then finally exfmt the desired next format. The counter field could
serve other purposes I suppose? Counter = 99 could be eoj, Counter = 90
could be "start over" Counter = 911 could be "This item needs clean-up"
or, or, and or?


On 12/11/2012 4:17 PM, JackTucky wrote:

I'm writing an application for RF scanners with 5250 emulation on the
warehouse floor. It will be used for recording physical inventory.



Most of the record formats have one field. The user progresses through the
record formats by scanning, some keyboard input, and I finally write a row
to the DB.



Some of the record formats will have an option to go back several screens,
for instance they are done scanning upc's, and need to go back and scan a
new location. CF03 will always be available to let them exit.



In the past, I've done the screen progression with multiple DOW, like this:



Dow *inkc = *off

Exfmt scn01



If physical# > 0

Dow *inkc = *off

Exfmt scn02

Enddo

Enddo



But with over 10 record formats, that many nested loops gets crappy. And I
don't have an easy way to drop back a certain# of screens.



I need an easy way to move forward and back. WDYT?



Thanks, Jack