RE: 20 years ago (RtnDspAtr-like) functionality, for EVERY input/output field

Gad,

I try to "enhance" our panels so that they help the client. For example,
coloring the command key legend in yellow, which I think is easier to see.
And the same for titles, instructions, etc. But you probably do something
similar.

I once had to highlight selected items in a list. I did this by formatting
the data element with the proper Hex code in byte one and resetting it to
normal in the last byte. BUT this was for an alphameric output field.
Haven not given it much thought, but this technique would probably be, at
best, extremely difficult for input or numeric fields.

I once had a secretary that for some reason did not like the default colors;
i.e., the basic green screen. So she used the Client Access options to
manually set the colors of her display. It was so glaring that I got a
headache every time I had to go into her office. In that situation all bets
are off as to what is going to be displayed color-wise.

Now my wish list includes a DSPATR(IT) - italic. But I am not holding my
breath.

Jerry C. Adams
Humor is reason gone mad. -Groucho
IBM i Programmer/Analyst
--
NMM&D
615-585-2175

-----Original Message-----
From: RPG400-L [mailto:rpg400-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gad
Miron
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2022 1:02 PM
To: rpg400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: 20 years ago (RtnDspAtr-like) functionality,for EVERY
input/output field

Hello Frank

What I'm actually after is an easy & convenient way to dynamically set
attributes
of fields on the screen, like Color, PC, Protect, etc.
and without using indicators !

I would like to be able to code the following
Field1.color = 'RED' - set color to red
Field1.BL = 'Y' - set blinking on
Field1.PC = 'Y - position cursor in Field1

AND I would like all these attributes to be ready to use out-of-the-box
without having to prepare Program-to-Screen fields or code special
procedures
or DCM-like hoola hoops.

Hope this makes sense
Gad

P.S
It would also be nice to be able to set Record level attributes the same way
like DSPSIZ = '*DS4'

date: Sun, 21 Aug 2022 15:14:05 +1000
from: Frank Kolmann <Frank.Kolmann@xxxxxxxxx>
subject: (RtnDspAtr-like) functionality,for EVERY input/output field

Hello Gad


I am not understanding why you need the Display Attribute of the I/O
fields.
I have no clue how you plan to use RtvDspAtr, or what use such a
function will serve.

It is quite possible to code your our procedure to get this information,
then you can use the procedure as you wish.

You could code a module to do this using a combination of
?DSM?? Read Screen (without waiting for an AID key).? QsnReadScr. (fwiw
Its not a trivial Api but doable.)
This gives you the entire screen data including attributes, it has
Row/Col information.
and
Your program code needs to know what Screen Format you are using.
and
Then you could use the program DSPINFO, it gives you a Multi Occur DS
that is a list of all the fields with Format and Field Names and
locations from the file object.
From this you can obtain a list of all I/O fields and the fields screen
attributes for your selected Screen Format.

Frank


On 20/08/2022 5:31 pm, Gad Miron wrote:
Thanks to all responders.

I have learned a LOT
(including but not limited to a forgotten DSM)

However,
my OP consisted of asking IBM to add BUILT IN
(RtnDspAtr-like) functionality
for EVERY? input/output field in the display.
Thus freeing the programmers to do business related logic.

But, as the subject says, it is 20 years too late.

Gad