FORMSPEC in batch mode allows you to manage a forms file without
tying up your terminal. With this feature, forms may be deleted
from or copied to a forms file, compiled, and listed on a printer
by accepting commands from a job stream or from a disc file or I/O device.
Deleting Forms Using FORMSPEC's Batch Mode
Facilities |
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Suppose you wanted to delete all forms but F1, F2, and F3
from a forms file named LITTLEFF. To accomplish this, you would take the following
steps:
Use the FORMSPEC "FORMS" command to generate
a list of forms in LITTLEFF and redirect the list to a disk file.
:FILE FORMOUT;REC=-80,16,F,ASCII;DEV=DISC;TEMP
:RUN FORMSPEC.PUB.SYS;INFO="$STDIN"
>FILE LITTLEFF
>FORMS
>EXIT
:SAVE FORMOUT
:RENAME FORMOUT,FORMCMDS
:RESET FORMOUT |
Bring FORMCMDS into an editor. Delete all lines that do not list
form names. Delete the lines listing forms F1, F2, and F3. Insert
the keyword "DELETE" in front of every other form
name. Delete the text remaining after the form name.
Add the command FILE LITTLEFF as the first line in the file.
Add an EXIT command as the last line in the file.
Keep the update FORMCMDS file and exit the editor.
Execute the commands in the FORMCMDS file. Note: you may want to do this within a job file.
Compiling Forms File in Batch Mode |
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Compiling a forms file can be very time consuming, especially
if there are many forms, fields, and field specifications defined
in the file. By using FORMSPEC in batch mode, long compilations
can be executed from a job stream. You do not have to wait for compilation
to complete in order to use your terminal for other purposes.
Updating Forms In Batch Mode |
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A forms file can be updated systematically by using FORMSPEC
in batch mode. Entire forms can be copied to or deleted from a forms
file, field attributes may be updated, and function key labels may
be created and updated. Individual screens, save fields, and some global
information; however, cannot be defined in batch mode. Also, save
fields cannot be copied from one forms file to another.
Listing Forms Files in Batch Mode |
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By using the batch mode LIST command, forms can be listed on the list device
from a streamed job. This means forms file listings may be automated
in a job that updates a forms file. For example, a job that updates
a forms file could also print all or specific forms for future reference.
The form listings may also be directed to a disc file to be examined.
Relating Forms In Batch Mode |
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Form family relationships can be established using the RELATE command in batch mode. The RELATE command requires that the forms exist and their
screen designs be identical. Furthermore, the forms to be related
must be distinct forms and the proposed child form cannot already
be a member of a family of forms.
