Buttons, Lists and Windows

Robust character-based applications should not be limited to text entry, but should include other interface elements where appropriate. Consider the traditional “action” prompt line found in many data entry programs. The same function might be handled by incorporating an “action bar” – a row of “command buttons” that perform the desired action when “pressed”. This ties in with mouse input, and is easily used from the keyboard either using cursor keys and the Enter key, or by attaching function key shortcuts to each button.

Consider using scrolling lists for selections, highlighting the selected list item using an attribute (or Visual Style). The AccuSoft Smart User Interface library includes both single-selection and multiple-selection lists, with multi-columns and column headings.

Depending on the terminal or emulator being used, limited “windowing” support may also be available –either using custom functions built into the emulator, or using the native terminal page memory. Typical Wyse terminals often include 2 pages of memory, allowing a main screen to “pop up” a window, such as a message box. The current page is simply copied to the next page. The page is then incremented and the new window is open. To close the window, simply switch to the previous page. The AccuSoft Smart User Interface library has built-in windowing support using AccuTerm’s scripting language when running with AccuTerm. Otherwise page memory is used if the terminal supports it.

Together, adopting an attractive, familiar look and including intelligent input processing for the keyboard and mouse, a character-based application can both appear and function like typical Windows applications.

Go GUI

The majority of new applications being developed utilize some kind of Graphical User Interface. This is typically a Windows interface, but could also be browser-based, or another GUI environment like Mac or X. There are many advantages to adopting a Graphical User Interface for a Multi-Value application. The application will have an interface that is consistent with other Windows applications, so it will be more familiar to new users. New users will be able to learn the application more quickly because the user interface operates in a consistent and expected manner, and casual users may be able to use the application with little or no training. And when the first impression is critical to making the “sale”, the GUI look puts the Multi-Value application on equal footing with the competition, at least when it comes to that critical first look.

AccuTerm’s GUI Development Environment provides the development tools and runtime environment to create GUIs for Multi-Value applications. AccuTerm GUI consists of a design tool which lets developers design GUI forms for their application using a friendly WYSIWYG designer. AccuTerm acts as the communication link between the host application and the GUI runtime engine (a component of AccuTerm). A library of Multi-Value BASIC subroutines act as the interface between the application and the GUI. Finally, the designer is integrated with a simple code generator, which generates skeleton BASIC code for the application’s user interface, with stub subroutines for all of the events that require handling.

Adapting an existing Multi-Value application to use AccuTerm GUI is not as simple as the other modernization techniques discussed above, but the results are much more dramatic. In order to convert from character-based to true GUI, the user interface and business rules must be separated. Then the user interface layer can be replaced by new code which implements the GUI. The GUI environment is inherently event-driven, meaning that the application responds to events, not keystrokes. Typical events are click, validate, activate, etc.) And with a properly designed application, the order of events should not be constrained (the user should be allowed to click on any field and the application should accommodate). Multi-Value applications using AccuTerm GUI look and work exactly like other Windows applications.

Summary

More than a few Multi-Value applications suffer from obsolete, ineffective and frustrating user interfaces. In order to compete in the marketplace with applications developed on other platforms, a Multi-Value application’s user interface may need to be modernized. This includes visual enhancements so that the applications appearance is consistent with typical Windows applications. This is especially important when a quick glance at a trade show is the only impression a prospect may get of the application. Functional improvements in input processing are often required, to ensure that the application behaves in a logical, expected manner. Finally, incorporating a true GUI for the application yields a Multi-Value application that looks and acts exactly like other Windows applications. Any of these enhancements can be effectively used to extend the lifetime of the Multi-Value application.

AccuTerm provides the tools needed to modernize the user interface of most Multi-Value applications. Some modifications are relatively simple. Others are more difficult, but produce more spectacular results. If you have an application that suffers from any of these deficiencies, the time to modernize is now!

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