FormGroup part

The following diagram shows the syntax of the FormGroup part.

The following properties are part of the FormGroup part.

alias

A string that is incorporated into the names of generated output. If you do not specify an alias, the FormGroup part name (or a truncated version) is used instead.

bidiInput = bidiValue

Specifies the text layout for data entry in a field that accepts text in a bidirectional language. For details, see bidiInput.

helpKey = helpKeyValue

Identifies a user keystroke that causes the EGL runtime to present a help form to the user. Specify a PF key value, from PF1 to PF24.

numericSwapping = booleanValue

Specifies a characteristic of Hindi numerals presented in Arabic. For details, see numericSwapping.

orientation = orientationValue

Specifies the text direction in a field that accepts input or displays output in a bidirectional language. For details. see orientation.

pfKeyEquate = booleanValue

Specifies whether the keystoke that is registered when the user presses a high-numbered function key (PF13 through PF24) is the same as the keystroke that is registered when the user presses a function key that is lower than 12.

symmetricSwapping = booleanValue

Specifies whether to exchange symmetric characters (such as brackets) when presenting bidirectional text. For details, see symmetricSwapping.

validationBypassKeys = [bypassKeyValues]

Identifies one or more user keystrokes that cause the EGL runtime code to skip input-field validations. Specify comma-separated PF key names without quotation marks; for example, [PF3, PF10]. This property is useful for reserving a keystroke that ignores the user input, such as an exit or cancel key.

@printFloatingAreas { value = [@printFloatingArea values]}

Defines the floating area used for printable output. Note the "s" at the end of the property name.

You can specify the printFloatingArea property once for each printer size you plan to use, as in the following example:

FormGroup TESTGROUP2 {
   @PrintFloatingAreas { value = [
      @PrintFloatingArea { deviceType=DeviceTypeKind.singleByte,
                           pageSize=[255,132], topMargin=3, 
                           bottomMargin=194, leftMargin=0, rightMargin=0 },
      @PrintFloatingArea { deviceType=DeviceTypeKind.doubleByte,
                           pageSize=[255,158], topMargin=3, 
                           bottomMargin=194, leftMargin=0, rightMargin=26}]
   }}
   use Form2;
end

For details on the property fields in @PrintFloatingArea, see the later section, Properties of a print floating area.

@screenFloatingAreas { value = [@screenFloatingArea values]}

Defines the floating areas available for output to a screen. Note the "s" at the end of the property name.

You can specify the @screenFloatingAreas property once for each screen size you plan to use, as in the following example:

FormGroup TESTGROUP { 
   helpKey = PF1,
   validationBypassKeys = [PF3, PF10],    
   @ScreenFloatingAreas { value = [
      @ScreenFloatingArea { screenSize=[24,80], topMargin=3,
                            bottomMargin=3, leftMargin=0, rightMargin=0},
      @ScreenFloatingArea { screenSize=[32,80], topMargin=3,
                            bottomMargin=3, leftMargin=0, rightMargin=0 }]
   }}
   use Form1; 
end

For details on the property fields in @ScreenFloatingArea, see the later section, Properties of a screen floating area. Also, note that when you generate output for IMS/VS, the property @screenFloatingAreas is not valid.

The following example shows a FormGroup part.

FormGroup TSTGROUP3 { 
   helpKey = PF1,
   validationBypassKeys = [PF3, PF10],

   @ScreenFloatingAreas { value = [
      @ScreenFloatingArea { screenSize=[24,80], topMargin=3,
                            bottomMargin=3, leftMargin=0, rightMargin=0},
      @ScreenFloatingArea { screenSize=[32,80], topMargin=3,
                            bottomMargin=3, leftMargin=0, rightMargin=0 }]
   }, 

   @PrintFloatingAreas { value = [
      @PrintFloatingArea { deviceType=DeviceTypeKind.singleByte,
                           pageSize=[255,132], topMargin=3, 
                           bottomMargin=194, leftMargin=0, rightMargin=0 },
      @PrintFloatingArea { deviceType=DeviceTypeKind.doubleByte,
                           pageSize=[255,158], topMargin=3, 
                           bottomMargin=194, leftMargin=0, rightMargin=26}]
   }}
   use myForm01;
   use myForm02;
	end

The properties associated with screenFloatingArea are delimited by braces ({ }) and each property is separated from the next by a comma.

screenSize = [rows, columns]

The number of rows and columns in the online presentation area, including any lines or columns used as margins. The default is screenSize=[24,80].

topMargin= rows

The number of lines before the start of the floating area. The default is 0. You can use the top margin to display a fixed form, such as a heading.

bottomMargin= rows

The number of lines after the end of the floating area. The default is 0. You can use the bottom margin to display a fixed form, such as a trailer.

leftMargin= columns

The number of blank columns to the left of the floating area. The default is 0.

rightMargin= columns

The number of blank columns to the right of the floating area. The default is 0.

The properties associated with printFloatingArea are delimited by braces ({ }) and each property is separated from the next by a comma.

pageSize = [rows, columns]

The number of rows and columns in the printable presentation area, including any lines or columns used as margins. This property is required if you specify a print floating area.

deviceType = singleByte, deviceType = doubleByte

Specifies whether the floating-area declaration is for a printer that supports single-byte output, which is the default, or double-byte output. If any of the forms include fields of type DBCHAR or MBCHAR, specify doubleByte.

topMargin = rows

The number of lines before the start of the floating area. The default is 0. You can use the top margin to print a fixed form, such as a heading.

bottomMargin = rows

The number of lines after the end of the floating area. The default is 0. You can use the bottom margin to print a fixed form, such as a trailer.

leftMargin = columns

The number of blank columns to the left of the floating area. The default is 0.

rightMargin = columns

The number of blank columns to the right of the floating area. The default is 0.