Defining a Screen Display Using MAPC

Defining a Screen Display Using MAPC

In the previous chapter, you used ADSA to define the structure of the sample Department application. As another step in creating an application, you define screen displays by using the map compiler (MAPC). This chapter provides instructions for defining the XXXMAP screen display for use in the sample Department application.

Note: When creating your map, you can substitute your initials for the XXX in the map name.

This chapter includes:

• An overview of how maps are used in the CA ADS environment
• Instructions for defining maps for the sample Department application
• A summary of what you've accomplished in this chapter

What is a Map :P A .* * map is a predefined screen display used by dialogs in an application. At runtime, dialogs use maps to interact with users. For example, the sample map XXXMAP that you create in this chapter is used to display existing department records to users for modification or deletion. XXXMAP also allows users to add new department records. The XXXMAP layout is shown in the diagram below. This sample map allows users to input and display a department's ID number and name, and the ID number of the department head.

XXXMAP Layout

   FUNCTION: ________

                              DEPARTMENT INFORMATION


   DEPARTMENT ID .......: ____
              NAME .....: ____________________________________________________
              HEAD ID ..: ____




   NEXT RESPONSE:  ________




  ______________________________________________________________________________

Defining a Map

You define the layout of a map by defining individual fields on the map. You can define two types of fields:

• Literal fields display unchanging literal strings.

  Titles, instructions, and prompts often are defined as literal fields. For example, the DEPARTMENT INFORMATION title shown in the map layout is a literal field.

• Variable fields display stored values and allow users to store new values at runtime.

  For example, the field to the right of the DEPARTMENT ID field on the map layout is a variable field. At runtime, this field displays the ID number for a department record. Additionally, the user can type a new id number into this variable field to modify or add a department record. The last field on the screen, the message field, is also a variable field. At runtime, this field displays a message (message field is blank in this sample screen).

You will use the online mapping facility (MAPC) to define map XXXMAP shown in the map layout.

A typical MAPC screen is shown below:

 ┌─     Add  Modify  Compile  Delete  Display  Switch
 │   .______________________________________________________________________.
 └─
                        CA IDMS/DC Online Map Compiler

                   CA, Inc.


 ┌─
 │      Map name   . . . . . . .    ________
 │      Map version  . . . . . .    ____
 │      Dictionary name  . . . .    ________
 │      Dictionary node  . . . .    ________
 └─
 ┌─     Screen . . . . . . . . . _    1. General options
 │                                    2. Map-Level help text definition
 │                                    3. Associated records
 │                                    4. Layout
 │                                    5. Field definition
 └─
              Copyright (C) 1999 CA, Inc.

    Command ===>
    Enter  F1=Help  F3=Exit  F10=Action

This section contains the following topics:

Instructions

Summary