Introduction to Pathmaker

The Architecture of a Pathmaker Application
Pathmaker Applications
2–2 067867 Tandem Computers Incorporated
The function key list displays the function keys that are available and their associated
action. (The list shown on the screen may include only a portion of the available keys.)
The function key list is usually located near the bottom of the screen.
The message area is a reserved portion of the screen where messages and errors are
displayed. The message area is usually below line 24 of the screen.
Multiple Pages–One
Logical Screen
Each requester produced with the Pathmaker product has only one screen, which can
consist of one or more pages. The Pathmaker product makes it easy to create a
multiple-page screen within a requester by automatically creating a paging area and
multiple pages when there are too many data fields to fit within the data field area.
The paging area determines the size and placement of the requester's pages, which are
implemented in the SCREEN COBOL code as overlays. The Pathmaker product
creates the paging area between the two rows of equal signs on the screen. (Changes
to the paging area and pages can be made with the screen painter.)
When a requester that has a multiple-page screen is used, usually the following is true:
The end user has to ensure that all pages are reviewed for data content. (Pages not
viewed contain default values.)
Function keys have the same action regardless of the page the end user is viewing.
Function keys are active on all pages.
All pages are processed together, not separately.
(The application developer can write additional SCREEN COBOL code that can alter
the way a requester with a multiple-page screen is used.)
Figure 2-1 shows the screen for a typical Pathmaker requester. The underlined areas
represent unprotected fields where data is entered or displayed. This screen contains
two pages. When any function key associated with a paging function is pressed (such
as F2–Next Page), the title, function key list, and message area remain static. Only the
paging area containing the data fields and the current page number in the top
right-hand corner change.