SeeView Manual

SeeView Programming
HP NonStop SeeView Manual—526355-004
6-3
Design the Presentation Interface
Design the Presentation Interface
Design the presentation interface by following these guidelines:
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Design a Presentation Interface, Not a New Application
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Understand the Product
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Use the Product as a New User
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Develop a Firm Understanding of Utility Command Structure
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Define What You Want Your Script to Accomplish
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Establish Menu and Window Contents
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Follow Conventions for Placing Menus and Windows
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Follow Human Interface Standards
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Identify Which Types of Menus to Use
Design a Presentation Interface, Not a New Application
When you write a SeeView script, you are usually not writing a new application but
designing a new presentation interface to an existing application or utility.
Understand the Product
If you do not understand the product for which you are designing the interface, you will
not be able to write a new presentation interface for it or simplify its complexity. You
must first understand what the product does and the steps necessary to get your
results. To develop an interface for your product in the SeeView program, you should
concern yourself more with what the interface does rather than how it does it. You do
not need to understand the inner workings or the source code that the interface is built
upon. You just need to understand the uses and functionality of the product and the
commands needed to achieve the results.
Use the Product as a New User
Imagine that you have never used the utility or seen the manuals and have only
glanced at the product’s reference summary. Make mental notes about navigation and
the structure of command syntax. Pay particularly close attention to inconsistent and
consistent command syntax as it pertains to the objects for the interface you are
designing. Doing so will help you design logical menus as well as code actual
commands within your script.
For example, certain utilities have syntax inconsistencies where common commands
differ in use and syntax for different subsystems. Also, the command set could differ
depending on the type of object you are working with. Taking note of these
inconsistencies will help you design effective, easy-to-use menus. Noting consistencies