(C) Copyright 1985-1996 Modular Software Corporation. All rights reserved. Version 2.0 for AP - February 14, 1996
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The HELP SYSTEM includes routines to create and utilize help text. The functions are designed so that the text is displayed until the operator presses a key, at which time the calling application is re-entered with the screen contents are restored.
The help text is stored in two files in source and in object format. The source items are stored in the file HELP.SOURCE and the object is stored in HELP.OBJ.
CALL FV.HELP('HELP.TEXT.NAME')The string is a literal or variable which contains the ITEM-ID of the help text in the HELP.OBJ file.
In addition to using a painted help item with FV.HELP, either external BASIC subroutines or EXECUTED TCL statements may be specified. In order to run a BASIC subroutine, pass the string:
SUB\subroutine.nameor
SUB\X0,X1,Y0,Y1\subroutine.nameThe subroutine may be entered with or without a window dimension parameter list. If window dimensions are included, the specified window (with border) will be created before the subroutine is executed. If no parameters are specified, the subroutine will execute in the currently defined window (or full-screen) area.
Executing a TCL command proceeds in much the same manner with:
EXECUTE\tcl commandor
EXECUTE\X0,X1,Y0,Y1\tcl command
ENTER-HELP CUST.NAME.HELPThe painter operates very simply and displays a blank screen on which help text is entered (painted). The help text may be entered anywhere on the screen and when finished, the painter will draw a box around it. All of the normal data entry features, including character insert/delete may be used to facilitate the entry of help text.
In addition to the simple entry of help text, several other functions are provided for manipulation of help text. When the help text entry function is exited with the SCREEN EXIT function a sub-menu is displayed which includes the following choices:
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