Re: DSPF Designer for VSCode -- WDSCI-L

Normally I never start a DSPF from scratch.

About 99.9% of all cases, I use either an existing screen (as I'm modernizing it) or I use a snippet with everything in, like subfile, controller, fixed format and window.

I use the designer more or less as a preview and to move fields around on the screen. I rarely ever open the Properties view.

What's nice is the "design screens" mode, where I can predefine the formats that are on the screen, without always doing it again like in SDA.

I also like the preview mode, where I can save multiple sets of field and indicator values to simulate different situations - and it's also saved into the DSPF source, so I can repeat it easily.

What I hate is, when some colleague is opening the DSPF in SDA and saves it, as all my saved settings are wiped away.

So I it were for me, a good preview (with "screens" and "presets") with the ability to move fields around would be enough for me for a Code for i DSPF "Designer".

Just my 2ct
Daniel

Am 06.04.2026 um 16:22 schrieb Greg Wilburn <gwilburn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

Thanks all..

I’ll look through the help… I was able to find most of what I’m looking for in the Properties View, but IMHO it sucks when it comes to indicators controlling the attributes of a screen.
In SDA, this is on ONE simple screen. In RDi, I have to click a button to add indicators to each attribute.

I’ve been using RDi for a long time, but I’ve stayed away from Screen and Report design due to the learning curve involved (and we barely do this anymore). I think developers would have moved off SDA/RLU if this was more intuitive and laid out better. I found myself going into the source tab and adding things there, because it was easier and faster (something I never did in SDA).

I guess I’ll have to get accustomed to it.

My 2 cents.

From: WDSCI-L <wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Brian Parkins
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2026 6:18 PM
To: wdsci-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] DSPF Designer for VSCode

EXTERNAL EMAIL - This email was sent by a person from outside your organization. Exercise caution when clicking links, opening attachments or taking further action, before validating its authenticity.

I'd echo that. Normally the PROPERTIES View is of secondary use in RDi.
However, when using the Screen/Print Designer it becomes essential for
defining the attributes of formats and fields. (Stack the View on the
COMMAND LOG to give it more space.)

Tip: Don't bother with the DDS Designer Perspective. Stick with your
normal edit Perspective and adjust the Views to accommodate both Edit
and Design.

Tip: On the right of the DESIGN View there is the important PALETTE.
Close it to provide more design space. Instead, open the separate
PALETTE View and stack over the OUTLINE.

Just some suggestions - hope they help.

Brian.

On 02/04/2026 20:06, Vern Hamberg via WDSCI-L wrote:
Hey Greg

For everyone, go the Help for RDi.

From the Help menu, select Help contents, in there, in the Developing
topic, open Designing DDS Graphically, and in there is a topic on
Using Screen Designer

BTW, I find it incredibly helpful to have the Properties view open
when designing - all the attributes will be available there to change
on the fly. I don't remember if having Outline view is very helpful, I
really make use of the Properties. Like if you select any element, its
properties are right there.

Best wishes!

*Regards*

*Vern Hamberg*

IBM Champion 2025 <cid:part1.M2q09C4R.o6ocWzqk@centurylink.net> CAAC
(COMMON Americas Advisory Council) IBM Influencer 2023

On 4/2/2026 10:02 AM, Greg Wilburn wrote:
Maybe I should try it?

Adding a new screen to an older 5250 program using RDi. I haven't
done this in ages, and I'm really struggling.
In RDi the screen designer is OK, but I can't seem to find things (I
can't find them in SDA either).
This is awful LOL.

-----Original Message-----
From: WDSCI-L<wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>> On Behalf Of
Richard Schoen
Sent: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 2:25 PM
To:wdsci-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] DSPF Designer for VSCode

Makes me want to design some new 5250 screens.

Regards,
Richard Schoen
Web:https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___http://www.richardschoen.net___.YzJ1OnRvdGFsYml6ZnVsZmlsbG1lbnQxOmM6bzoyODMwZDNhNDgyYzY0NDEwMDkwYWY4OWIxYzU3YTY3Mzo3OjM0Mjg6ZDE0MGJjNmE5NDgwNGRiODM0NWE5ZGM0ZmUwOTc3OGVmYzczY2EyNjBmZTRmOWNhOGEzODZjNDM2MWRkODVlNjpwOlQ6Rg
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message: 2
date: Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:47:13 -0400
from: "Art Tostaine, Jr."<atostaine@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:atostaine@xxxxxxxxx>>
subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] DSPF Designer for VSCode

Looks pretty good.

On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 1:37?PM Sam_L<lennon_s_j@xxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:lennon_s_j@xxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:

FWIW

"DSPF Designer" extension to VS Code.
https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://github.com/Balrocj/dspf-designer___.YzJ1OnRvdGFsYml6ZnVsZmlsbG1lbnQxOmM6bzoyODMwZDNhNDgyYzY0NDEwMDkwYWY4OWIxYzU3YTY3Mzo3OmI5NTI6YmZmNGYzZGU5NDA5Njk0YWQ5YTc4Y2Q3OWZkM2E1MzcxM2UwMDAzOGE4MzViZDEzMTBjMjY3NDFhMjQ5MmQ4YjpwOlQ6Rg<https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https:/github.com/Balrocj/dspf-designer___.YzJ1OnRvdGFsYml6ZnVsZmlsbG1lbnQxOmM6bzoyODMwZDNhNDgyYzY0NDEwMDkwYWY4OWIxYzU3YTY3Mzo3OmI5NTI6YmZmNGYzZGU5NDA5Njk0YWQ5YTc4Y2Q3OWZkM2E1MzcxM2UwMDAzOGE4MzViZDEzMTBjMjY3NDFhMjQ5MmQ4YjpwOlQ6Rg>

(I have not tried it.)

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Greg Wilburn
Director of IT
301.895.3792 ext. 1231

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Greg Wilburn
Director of IT
301.895.3792 ext. 1231
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