SeeView Manual

SeeView Programming
HP NonStop SeeView Manual—526355-004
6-5
Follow Conventions for Placing Menus and Windows
Follow Conventions for Placing Menus and Windows
Menu and window placement, sizing, and type come next. The following four
conventions will put your script into a normally accepted class of scripts in the SeeView
user’s world.
•
Have your scripts use page 1 of the terminal and then page 2 if you need it. This
simple rule is probably the most important one because most users have multiple
processes going on at the same time with many windows open on other pages. If
your script opens windows at random on other pages and removes other windows
from the screen, not only will you disrupt the environment, you will confuse the
user. As a general rule of thumb, pages 1 and 2 are reserved for the shell and
external scripts, and all other activity takes place on the remaining pages (page 3
through the last page).
•
Design your scripts so they do not disturb the operation of the shell. You should
preserve the menus at the top of page 1 at all times. If you do not, you limit
severely the powers that common SeeView users are accustomed to, and they will
probably refuse to use the script because it manipulates their environment.
•
Do not alter color settings. Once colors are changed, menus start to look like
windows, and windows start to look like menus. Such changes can be confusing.
On a color terminal, some users are accustomed to seeing gray menus and blue
windows. Any deviation from the norm causes confusion and hesitation.
•
Do not lock any of the function keys (through the SECURE command). Most users
who encounter a script that locks function keys will shut it down and purge it.
Leave the function keys unlocked unless you are writing a stand-alone shell for a
closed application environment.
Follow Human Interface Standards
Be consistent with the format of menu items, headings, and status messages. For
menu items, use single words with consistent uppercase and lowercase usage. For
example, subsystems could be listed on the main menu, with all items in uppercase.
For each submenu, all items could be in lowercase with the first letter capitalized.
Keep headings consistent for related areas. Consistent headings and menu items
make it easier for users to recognize their location and status when they move among
menus and windows. Consistent and descriptive messages are important for the same
reason.