Re: Informix forms; was <No Subject Supplied>

alan@po.den.mmc.com (Alan Popiel) writes: >->Date: Wed, 24 Aug 94 10:37:17 EST >->From: "Andy Mikesell" <Andy_Mikesell@mail.amsinc.com> >->To: informix-list@rmy.emory.edu >->Subject: <No Subject Supplied> >->Reply-To: "Andy Mikesell" <Andy_Mikesell@mail.amsinc.com> >-> >...[snip]... >-> >-> Primarily, I am trying to overcome the limitations of Informix's Forms >-> ability to display only one record at a time. >Look into the use of screen arrays to display multiple records at once. I agree with everything Alan says, but I think he thought Andy was talking about forms used in conjunction with 4GL (*.per/*.frm files), but *I* think he is referring to the product Informix Forms, the code generator Informix offers in partnership with Fourgen. It's an adequate 4gl-code generator, *if* one accepts the basic user interface, which includes the standard ring menu "Query Next Previous ..." and displaying one record at a time to screen. If you don't like this interface (preferring instead, as Andy implies, something like an array of rows being presented, and using point-and-shoot with perhaps functions keys or mouse clicks to specify the action to take on the row), I wouldn't reccommend the product. I don't think it can easily be used to do something it wasn't intended to do. As 4gl-code generators go, Forms is quite robust and relatively easy to work with after a moderate (as opposed to short) learning curve. But - becuase it's a 4gl-code generator - it has inherent overhead and some ground rules one has to adhere too that are more restrictive than a programming language. Unless you insist on a code-generator rather than 4gl straight up, Andy, I'd have a look at 4GL/GX. It's not "true-GUI", but it does support mouse actions and has a Motif/Window sort of look and feel. ======================================================================= Dennis J. Pimple dennisp@informix.com Opinions expressed Senior Consultant -------------------- are mine, and do not Informix Software Inc Voice: 303-850-0210 necessarily reflect Denver Colorado USA Fax: 303-779-4025 those of my employer. >-> I would like create a GUI to display multiple records per screen, then >Except for some DOS Windows products, Informix forms are not true GUI yet. >-> be able to select one of those records to display multiple rows and >-> columns. This will be on a Sun running Solaris 2.2 >This is fairly easy to do in 4GL. Can't speak to other products, since I >work primarily in 4GL. >-> I would also like to include either GUI controls or function keys >-> within the interface. >Function keys are not particularly hard in Informix 4GL. >-> Any help would be greatly appreciated. >-> >-> Andrew Mikesell >-> Andy_Mikesell@mail.amsinc.com >I guess what I am trying to say is, don't sell Informix too short too soon. >The 4GL and forms are not perfect, but they have features and capabilities >of which you appear to be unaware. >Regards, >Alan ___________________________ >______________________| R. Alan Popiel |__________________________ >\\ Internet: | Martin Marietta, SLS | / > \\ alan@den.mmc.com | P.O. Box 179, M/S 3810 | Std disclaimers apply. / > )Voice: | Denver, CO 80201-0179 USA | ( > / 303-977-9998 |___________________________| (But you knew that!) \\ >/________________________) (____________________________\\