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HP Data Entry and Forms Management System (VPLUS) Reference Manual: HP 3000 MPE/iX Computer Systems

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HP Part Number: 32209-90024

Edition: Edition 6

Published: E0300


Table of Contents

1 VPLUS Overview
Product Overview
Interface Design
Transaction Processing
Source Data Entry
Features
Designing Forms With FORMSPEC
Levels of Forms Design
Application-Ready Buffer
Program Interface Intrinsics
Entering Data with ENTRY
Reformatting Data
Using This Manual
Forms Designer
Applications Programmer
Application User
2 Entering Data with ENTRY
Protected and Unprotected Fields
Error Detection
Data Modification
Data Reformatting
Terminal Usage
Function Keys
Display Enhancements
Printing Forms and Data
Running ENTRY
Specifying ENTRY Files
Responding To ENTRY Prompts
Removing Deleted Records From a Batch File
Expanding the Batch File
Block Mode
Local Form Storage
Forms Sequence
Repeating Forms
Appended Forms
Frozen Forms
Entering Data
Optional and Required Fields
Program-Generated Data
Correcting Errors
System and Logic Errors
Interrupting Data Entry
Terminating a Session
Unexpected Program Interruption
Viewing and Modifying Data
Invoking Browse/Modify Mode
Resuming Data Collection
Viewing Data
Modifying the Data
Deleting Data
3 INTRODUCTION TO FORMS DESIGN
GETTING STARTED WITH FORMSPEC
Specify a Forms File
Choose an Option
FORMSPEC Function Keys
Menu Sequence
Creating an Application-Ready Buffer (ARB)
Year 2000 Functionality
Programmable Defaults for Field and Data Types in FORMSPEC
Ability to Define More than 52 Single Character Fields per Form
Compatibility Issues
Terminating FORMSPEC
EASE OF FORMS DESIGN
Form Layout
Defining the Fields
Understanding Form Sequencing
Sample of Forms Design
FORMS FILE
Forms Modification
Copying of Processing Specifications
Forms File Size
Expand Forms File
Compiling the Forms File
Renumbering a Form with Interactive FORMSPEC
Listing Forms
FORM FAMILIES
Creating Child Forms
Form Family Example
Fields
MAIN MENU
Fields
FORM MENU
Fields
FORM FUNCTION KEY LABELS MENU
FORM LAYOUT
FIELD MENU
Fields
GLOBALS MENU
Fields
GLOBAL FUNCTION KEY LABELS MENU
SAVE FIELD MENU
Fields
USING FORMSPEC TO CREATE AN ARB
Setting Up the Data Type Conversion Record
Generating the ARB
TERMINAL/LANGUAGE SELECTION MENU
Fields
DATA CAPTURE DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS MENU
Fields
4 Advanced Forms Design
Levels Of Advanced Design
Entering Processing Specifications
Special Cases
Correcting Existing Specifications
Statement Syntax
Comments
Continuing Lines
Custom Error Messages
Checking Data Entered
Operands
Arithmetic Expression
Index Retrieve Operand
Processing Specifications For Configuration
DEVICE
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
LIGHT
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
LOCALEDITS
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
Processing Specifications For Field Edits
Edit Statements
LENGTH CHECK
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
SINGLE VALUE COMPARISONS
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Character Comparisons
Numeric Comparisons
Date Comparisons
Example
Native Language Support
TABLE CHECKS
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
Native Language Support
RANGE CHECKS
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
Native Language Support
CHECK DIGIT
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
PATTERN MATCH
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Special Pattern Characters
Transparency
Choice
Range
Grouping and Optional
Repetition
Operator Hierarchy
Example
Processing Specifications For Advanced Processing
SET
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Assigning a Value to the Current Field
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
Moving Data Between Fields
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
Automatic Formatting
Character Type
Numeric Type
Date Type
Default Formatting
Parameters
Example
STRIP
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
JUSTIFY
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
FILL
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
UPSHIFT
Syntax
Discussion
Example
CHANGE
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
IF
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
FAIL
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
STOP
Syntax
Discussion
Example
PHASES
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
Configuration Phase
Initialization Phase
Field Edit Phase
Finish Phase
5 Reformatting Specifications
Files
Reformat File
Relation of Forms to Output Records
Input Forms Sequence
Output Record Definition
Field Specifications
Combining Data from Several Forms
Separating Data into Several Records
Reformatting Repeating Forms
Separating Data from One Batch File into Several Output Files
Using REFSPEC
Terminating REFSPEC
Unexpected Program Interruption
REFSPEC Function Keys
REFSPEC Menus
Forms File Menu
Main Menu
Adding a Reformat
Compiling the Reformat File
Adding Global Specifications
Changing the Forms File Name
Modifying Reformat Specifications
Changing an Input Forms Sequence
Changing an Output Record Definition
Deleting a Reformat
Listing a Reformat
Resuming Design from Main Menu
Globals Menu
Fields
Input Forms Menu
Fields
Output Record Menu
Fields
Output Field Menu
Data Type
Field Formatting
STRIP
JUSTIFY
Sign
Fill
Check Digit
Running REFORMAT
Concatenating Batch Files
Using a User-Defined Command
Streaming REFORMAT
6 USING VPLUS INTRINSICS
Multipurpose
Multilanguage
Error Detection
HOW INTRINSICS ARE USED
Form Definition Area
Data Buffer Area
Window Area
Key Label Area
CALLING VPLUS INTRINSICS
Parameter Types
COMMUNICATION AREA
Parameters
Parameters
ERROR HANDLING
Intrinsic Call or File Errors
Editing Errors
Error Messages
Determining Fields in Error
USING TERMINAL FEATURES
The Touch Feature
Local Form Storage
INTRINSIC DESCRIPTIONS
Dependency Between Intrinsics
VARMSCP
VBLOCKREAD
VBLOCKWRITE
VCHANGEFIELD
VCLOSEBATCH
VCLOSEFORMF
VCLOSETERM
VERRMSG
VFIELDEDITS
VFINISHFORM
VGETARBINFO
VGETBUFFER
VGETFIELD
VGETFIELDINFO
VGETFILEINFO
VGETFORMINFO
VGETKEYLABELS
VGETLANG
VGETNEXTFORM
VGETSAVEFIELD
VGETSCPDATA
VGETSCPFIELD
VGETtype
VGETYYYYMMDD
VINITFORM
VLOADFORMS
VMERGE
VOPENBATCH
VOPENFORMF
VOPENTERM
VPLACECURSOR
VPOSTBATCH
VPRINTFORM
VPRINTSCREEN
VPUTBUFFER
VPUTFIELD
VPUTSAVEFIELD
VPUTtype
VPUTWINDOW
VPUTYYYYMMDD
VREADBATCH
VREADFIELDS
VSETERROR
VSETKEYLABEL
VSETKEYLABELS
VSETLANG
VSHOWFORM
VTURNOFF
VTURNON
VUNLOADFORM
VWRITEBATCH
7 USING FORMSPEC IN BATCH MODE
USING FORMSPEC IN BATCH MODE
Deleting Forms Using FORMSPEC's Batch Mode Facilities
Compiling Forms File in Batch Mode
Updating Forms In Batch Mode
Listing Forms Files in Batch Mode
Relating Forms In Batch Mode
INVOKING FORMSPEC IN BATCH MODE
BATCH MODE COMMANDS
COMPILE
COPY
DELETE
EXIT
FIELD
FILE
FKLABELS
FORMS
LIST
RELATE
RENUMBER
SELECTLANG
SELECTTERM
ARB BATCH MODE COMMANDS
ADDARBFIELD
ARBTOSCREEN
DELARB
DELARBFIELD
GENARB
MODARBFIELD
MOVEARBFIELD
RENAMEARBFIELD
SCREENTOARB
SAMPLES OF FORMSPEC IN BATCH MODE
Sample Command File
Sample Job Stream
8 NATIVE LANGUAGE SUPPORT
LANGUAGE ATTRIBUTE
Unlocalized (NATIVE-3000)
Language-Dependent
International
NLS CAPABILITIES
Setting the Native Language ID Numbers
FIELD EDITS
Date Handling
Numeric Data
Native Language Characters
ENTRY AND LANGUAGE lD NUMBER
A SAMPLE PROGRAMS
SPL
COBOL
FORTRAN 77
BASIC
TRANSACT
PASCAL
B VPLUS Error Messages
Classification of Error Messages
FORMSPEC Error Messages
Access Method Messages
Screen Definition Messages
Field Symbol Table Messages
Menu Processing Utility Messages
Menu Init and Processing Messages
Batch Mode Messages
RELATE Command Messages
Menu Controller Messages
Init and Compile Messages
Scanner Messages
Parser Messages
Apply Errors
Pattern Compile Messages
Release Messages
Application-Ready Buffer (ARB) Errors
ARB Compile Errors
Native Language Support Errors
VPLUS Intrinsic Error Messages
VOPENTERM and VCLOSETERM Messages
General Messages
VOPENFORMF and VCLOSEFORMF Messages
VOPENBATCH and VCLOSEBATCH Messages
Access Method Messages
VGETNEXTFORM Messages
VMERGE Messages
VSHOWFORM Messages
VREADFIELDS Messages
VPRINTFORM Messages
VINITFORM, VFIELDEDITS, and VFINISH Messages
VREADBATCH Messages
VWRITEBATCH Messages
VSETERROR, VGETFIELD, VPUTFIELD, VPUTtype, and VGETtype Messages
VGETBUFFER and VPUTBUFFER ARB Messages
VGETLANG and VSETLANG Messages
VCHANGEFIELD Messages
VPLACESURSOR Intrinsic
INFO Intrinsic Messages
Forms Loading Messages
SNA DHCF Intrinsic Messages
Native Language Support
REFSPEC Messages
Access Method Errors
Output Sequence Definition Errors
Validation Errors
Field Table Errors
Menu Processing Errors
Menu Processing Utility Errors
Menu Init and Processing Errors
Menu Controller Errors
Init and Compile Errors
Compile Errors
Reformat Messages
Reformat Messages
Reformat Errors
Message Info
Header Messaages
Testlist Errors
Native Mode Access Error Messages
C USASCII Character Set in Collating Sequence
ASCII Character Set
D CHECK DIGIT CALCULATION
MODULUS 10
Example
MODULUS 11
Example
ALPHABETIC CHECK DIGITS
E Application Hints
Designing Your Forms File
Rules for the DL Area
Coding the Touch Feature
Example
F STATE/POSTAL CODES
G TERMINAL INFORMATION
SUPPORTED TERMINALS AND FEATURES
Termtypes
Modified Data Tag
Extended Local Edits
Relabeling Function Keys
Security Display Enhancement
Local Form Storage Capabilities
X.25 Capability
Color Enhancement
Data Capture Device Special Features
Cursor Position Sensing
THE HP 264X TERMINALS
HP 2640B Terminal
HP 2644A Terminal
THE HP 262X TERMINALS
HP 2624A Terminal
HP 2624B Terminal
HP 2625A, HP 2628A Terminals
HP 2626A Terminal
HP 2627A Terminal
THE HP 239X AND HP 150 TERMINALS
HP 2392A Terminal
HP 2393A Terminal
HP 2394A Terminal
HP 2397A Terminal
HP 150 Terminal (Obsolete)
THE DATA CAPTURE DEVICES
TERMINAL COMMUNICATION AREA
Parameters
TERMINAL BUFFER CONFIGURATION
RECOVERING FROM UNEXPECTED PROGRAM INTERRUPTION
USER ENVIRONMENT CONTROL FILE
ADVANCED TERMINAL I/O PROCEDURES
VTURNON/VTURNOFF
VTURNOFF
VTURNOFF
VTURNON
H Version Control
KSAM File Management
Purge Forms File
Rename Forms File
Convert KSAM File
Adjust Menu
HP32209
The HP32209B Utility
Example
I BIT MAP CONVERSION
Syntax
Parameters
Discussion
Example
J HP PRECISION ARCHITECTURE
MIGRATION ISSUES
Supported Peripherals and Applications
HPPA INTRINSICS
Introduction
K SNA DHCF with VPLUS Applications
SNA DHCF Overview
System Connections
VPLUS Supportability
IBM 3270 Differences and Limitations
Keyboard Differences
Screen Differences
Using FORMSPEC With DHCF
Using VPLUS Intrinsics With DHCF
Unsupported Intrinsics
Intrinsics Altered With SNA DHCF
SNA DHCF and VPLUS Utilities
ENTRY
REFSPEC
REFORMAT
HP32209B and HP32209S Utilities
L A Programmer's Guide to VPLUS
VPLUS Intrinsic Calls
Opening Files
Preparing and Showing the Screen
Reading Data from the Screen
Editing
Returning Data to the Program
Closing Files
VPLUS Enhancements
HPTOUCH Support (Introduced on VPLUS B.04.10 in MPE G.01.01)
Cursor Positioning (Introduced on VPLUS B.04.10 in MPE G.01.01)
264X Function Key Labels (Introduced on VPLUS B.04.10 in MPE G.01.01)
VGETFORMINFO Enhancement (Enhanced on VPLUS B.04.10 in MPE G.01.01)
Batch Mode FORMSPEC (Enhanced on VPLUS B.04.10 in MPE G.01.01)
Color Support for 2627A and 2397A (Introduced on VPLUS B.04.15 in MPE G.01.04)
VCHANGEFIELD (Introduced on VPLUS B.04.15 in MPE G.01.04)
User Environment Control File (Introduced on VPLUS B.04.20 in MPE G.02.01)
VPLUS & Multiplexers
Using VPLUS on a Pad-Terminal(Connected to a Cluster Controller HP 2334A)
Optimizing VPLUS Utilization
Definition of Terms
Effective Forms Design
Stack Use by VPLUS Applications
VPRINTSCREEN Intrinsic
VPRINTSCREEN
Modes of Operation
Limitations
Viewing the VPRINTSCREEN Demo
M Application Notes
Workarounds for VPLUS Forms Fille 32767 Record Limit
Problem Description
Solution
HP Only Info
Using the VPLUS Environment Control File (VENVCNTL)
Problem Description
Solution
How to Trace VPLUS calls in the Program While it is Running
Problem Description
Solution
How to Redirect $STDLIST in a VPLUS Application
Problem Description
Solution
FORMSPEC Gives FS Error -99 at Compile Time
Problem Description
Solution
Index

List of Figures

1-1 Overview of VPLUS
1-2 FORMSPEC Form Menu
1-3 FORMSPEC Screen Design
1-4 Sample Field Menu
1-5 Advanced Processing Specifications
1-6 Transfers Controlled by VPLUS Intrinsics
2-1 Bracketed Fields
2-2 Fields without Brackets
3-1 Forms File Menu
3-2 Main Menu
3-3 Relation between Menus and Function Keys
3-4 Sequence of Menus for Form Design
3-5 Example of a Form Layout
3-6 Examples of Form Layouts
3-7 Example of a Field Menu
3-8 The Field Attributes
3-9 Example of a Field Extending over Several Lines
3-10 Example of a Form Menu
3-11 Sample Forms File Layout
3-12 Forms File Prototype
3-13 Forms File Listing
3-14 Form Family Relationship
3-15 Parent Form
3-16 Child Form
3-17 Main Menu
3-18 Form Menu
3-19 Form Function Key Labels Menu
3-20 Form Layout Menu
3-21 Field Menu
3-22 Globals Menu
3-23 Global Function Key Labels Menu
3-24 Save Field Menu
3-25 Menu Sequence for ARB Feature
3-26 Globals Menu
3-27 Data Type Conversion Menu
3-28 ARB Menu
3-29 Restructure ARB Menu
3-30 ARB Field Menu
3-31 Terminal/Language Selection Menu
3-32 Data Capture Device Specifications Menu
3-33 Form Layout in FORMSPEC
3-34 Displayed on Standard Character Set Mini-CRT Screen
3-35 Displayed on 32 Character One Line Alpha Display Screen
3-36 Displayed on Large Character Mini-CRT Screen
4-1 Field Menu with Processing Specifications
4-2 Field Menu with Custom Error Messages
4-3 Field Menu with a SET Statement
4-4 Flow a Phase Execution for ENTRY
5-1 Relation among Files Used for Formatting
5-2 Prototype of REFORMAT File
5-3 Combining Data from 3 Forms into 1 Output Record
5-4 Reformat Data from 3 Forms into 2 Output Records
5-5 Separating Data from 1 Form into Several Records
5-6 Reformatting Data from Repeating Forms
5-7 Reformatting Data Based on Form Sequences
5-8 Generating 2 Output Files from 1 Batch File
5-9 Relation of REFSPEC Menus to Function Keys
5-10 Forms File Menu
5-11 Main Menu
5-12 Reformat Listing
5-13 Globals Menu
5-14 Input Forms Menu
5-15 An Example of an Output Record Menu
5-16 Sample Output Record Menu
5-17 Output Field Menu
6-1 Operation of VPLUS Intrinsics
6-2 Intrinsic Flow
6-3 Intrinsics Dependencies
L-1 Statistical Multiplexer
L-2 PAD or CLUSTER Connection to an HP 3000 with an INP
L-3 Direct Connection to an ATP- or ADCC-Port
L-4 Sample EPOCLIST Screen from TDP

List of Tables

2-1 Function Keys for Entry
3-1 FORMSPEC Key Labels
3-2 FORMSPEC Reserved Word List
3-3 Display Enhancement
3-4 How Each Numeric Data Type Interprets Entered Values
3-5 Valid Dates
3-6 Invalid Dates
3-7 Recommended Data Type Conversions
3-8 Valid Screen Data Types
3-9 Valid Application Data Types
3-10 Maximum Number of Characters in Fields
3-11 Form/ARB Relationships
4-1 Summary of Processing Statements
4-2 Local Edit Terminal Menu Selection
4-3 Local Edit Terminal Menu Selection with Defaults
4-4 Local Edit Terminal Menu Items
4-5 Pattern Match Operators
4-6 Automatic Formatting for Character Data
4-7 Automatic Formatting for Numeric Data
4-8 Automatic Formatting for Dates
4-9 Conversion During Data Movement
4-10 Variations on the IF Statement
5-1 Key Definitions
5-2 Standard Formatting by Data Types
5-3 Examples Using STRIP
5-4 Examples of Three Types of Justification
5-5 Correspondence Between Signed Digits and Characters
5-6 Example Using the SIGN Option
5-7 Examples Using the FILL Option
5-8 Example Using the FILL LEADING and FILL ALL Option
6-1 Summary of VPLUS Intrinsics
6-2 Examples of Intrinsic Call Formats for Each Language
6-3 Data Types Used for Various Languages
6-4 Outline of Communication Area Contents
6-5 Communication Area Contents for Data Capture Devices
6-6 Codes for the Window Line Enhancement
6-7 Intrinsics by Function Group
6-8 Specifications Buffer
6-9 Actions Used by Intrinsics
6-10 Field Information Buffer
6-11 File Information Buffer
6-12 Form Information Buffer
6-13 Numeric Type Conversions
6-14 Correlation of VGETtype with the Data Types for each Language
7-1 FORMSPEC in Batch Mode Commands
A-1 Programming Languages and References
C-1 ASCII Character Set
G-1 Terminals Supported by VPLUS
K-1 Comparison of Major Keys
K-2 Mapping of Keys
K-3 Display Enhancements
K-4 Differences Between HP and IBM Character Displays
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