Coding Standards for Database Files › Coding Standards for Display Files › Related Design Utilities › Format Level

Format Level

The following standards apply to coding Display file DDS at a format level:

• Use the DDS BLINK keyword as a record level standard—this makes the cursor more visible.
• Use the DDS KEEP keyword on the last panel displayed by the program—this prevents blank panels appearing between programs.
• Make F03 a command action key (CA03, rather than a command function key (CF03). This saves the user from having to enter values into fields to satisfy DDS validation checks, as specified by the VALUES and CHECK keywords, when ‘backing out’.

For example, with the following code, the user would have to enter a value of ‘Z’ or ‘X’ into field ##XX, even if he wished to merely press F03 to exit:

• As a corollary, make the other command keys command function keys (CFnn). This ensures that the user has to enter fields to meet DDS validation checks when proceeding normally.
• Use the standard subfile names to relate subfile control records with their subfile records. Use related names for the two additional formats needed to show function key explanations and to show a ‘No items found message’.

Note: For , these values are provided from the Device data table.