Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS
Writing Applications

Contents

Preface
Preface	Preface
Part 1
Part 1	Writing Generic Applications
Chapter 1
1	Writing Definitions with ADU
1.1	Starting and Stopping ADU
1.1.1	Starting ADU
1.1.2	Stopping ADU
1.1.3	Assigning a Default Text Editor
1.2	ACMS and the Data Dictionary
1.2.1	Dictionary Path Names
1.2.2	Creating CDO Directories and Establishing Directory and Entity Protection
1.3	Establishing Your ADU Environment
1.4	Understanding ACMS Terminology
1.4.1	Identifier
1.4.2	File Specification
1.4.3	Workspace Field Name
1.4.4	Text Strings
1.5	Creating and Processing Definitions
1.6	How ACMS Uses Definitions
1.6.1	Creating ADU Definition Files
1.6.2	ACMS Definitions: Placing in and Retrieving from CDD
1.6.3	Annotating Definitions
1.6.4	Abbreviating Commands and Keywords
1.6.5	Using Command Qualifiers
1.6.6	Using the Command Continuation Character
1.6.7	Responding to Command Prompts
1.6.8	Leaving ADU Temporarily
1.6.9	Using ADU Interactively
1.6.10	Using the Language-Sensitive Editor to Create Definition Files
1.7	Getting Help
Chapter 2
2	Defining Tasks
2.1	Structure of an ACMS Task
2.2	Defining a Data Entry Task
2.2.1	Using Workspaces to Pass Data Between Steps
2.2.2	Defining the Block Step
2.2.3	Defining Characteristics of the Task
2.2.4	Storing a Task Definition in the Dictionary
2.2.5	Additional Considerations: Error Handling and Ease of Use
2.2.5.1	Using ACMS Workspaces
2.2.5.1.1	Using the CONTROL FIELD Clause in an Exchange Step
2.2.5.1.2	Using the IF THEN ELSE Clause in a Processing Step
2.2.5.1.3	Additional Workspace Definitions
2.2.5.2	Repeating the Task Automatically
2.3	Defining an Inquiry Task
2.3.1	Getting Information from the User
2.3.2	Retrieving Information from a File
2.3.3	Displaying Information
2.3.4	Completing the Task Definition
2.3.5	Additional Considerations: Displaying Multiple Records
2.3.5.1	Getting Information from the User
2.3.5.2	Retrieving Information
2.3.5.3	Displaying Information to the User
2.3.5.4	Completing the Task Definition
2.4	Defining an Update Task
2.4.1	Getting Information from the User
2.4.2	Retrieving Information from a File
2.4.3	Letting the User Update the Information
2.4.4	Writing the New Information to the File
2.4.5	Completing the Task Definition
Chapter 3
3	Using DECforms with ACMS
3.1	ACMS Interface to DECforms
3.1.1	Calls to External Requests
3.1.2	Processing External Requests
3.1.3	Responses to External Requests
3.2	Writing and Compiling DECforms Escape Units
3.2.1	Writing an Escape Unit
3.2.2	Calling an Escape Unit in a Form Source IFDL File
3.3	Linking DECforms Form Objects
3.4	Linking Escape Units
3.4.1	Managing Escape Unit Files
3.4.2	Replacing Form Files
3.5	Creating Forms Trace Files
3.6	Naming Forms Image Files
3.7	User Interface Features with DECforms
3.8	Comparison of DECforms and TDMS
Chapter 4
4	Defining Workspaces
4.1	Understanding the Types of ACMS Workspaces
4.2	Handling Errors with a Task Workspace
4.3	Using Data Supplied at the Menu
4.4	Using Group Workspaces
4.5	Using User Workspaces
4.6	Moving Data to a Workspace Field
4.7	Passing Data with User-Written Agents
4.8	Using External Global Symbols in Task Definitions
Chapter 5
5	Using the Task-Call-Task Feature
5.1	Calling Another Task
5.1.1	Defining a Task Call
5.1.2	Task Call Example
5.1.3	Passing Workspaces
5.1.3.1	Using System Workspaces
5.1.3.2	Handling User and Group Workspaces
5.1.3.3	Tasks You Also Select from a Menu
5.1.3.4	Example of Updating Group and User Workspaces
5.1.4	Controlling Called Tasks
5.1.4.1	Passing Control Information in User-Defined Workspaces
5.1.4.2	Ending a Called Task
5.1.4.3	Controlling Parent Tasks
5.1.5	Defining Local Tasks
5.1.6	Mixing I/O Methods in Parent and Called Tasks
5.1.7	Form and Server Context in Task Calling
5.1.8	Using the NOT CANCELABLE BY TASK SUBMITTER Clause
5.1.9	Auditing and Operation
5.1.9.1	Task Auditing and Security
5.1.9.2	Using ACMS Operator SHOW and CANCEL Commands