SKYWRITER Version 1.0 COPYRIGHT 1991 James J. Keene, Ph.D.

 ---- FORMAT Menus & Programs

The Format utility program, called from the SOS Main Menu with "F", is used
to edit and write SkyWriter programs and the menus they display.

16. Format prompts for the DATABASE Device & Path as in other SOS programs.

17. TOPIC prompt:  asks for the name part of the database file(s) desired.

    NOTE: It is often convenient to use the same name for a SkyWriter
program, its menus, and even a subdirectory where this database is stored.
    For example, if a program and its menus have the same name part of their
filenames, copying databases can easily be done using DOS wildcards (see DOS
manual).
    However, there are no restrictions on filenames of either menus or text
that a SkyWriter program can call.

18.  MENU prompt:  user specifies a particular database menu or program.
This is literally the extension part of a filename.  For menus, any unique
extension can be used.  For programs, the extension is always "SKY".

19. If the file specified exists, Format displays its first page.  If not,
Format assumes the user wishes to create a new file and prints the # OF
PAGES = prompt.  Enter the number of pages (usually 1 or 2 is enough).  If
an error prevented location of a desired existing file, type the number "0"
& "Enter", to prevent a new file creation operation.

20.  The Format screen displays the first page of the menu (or program),
labeled A to P, at the top of the screen, along with its filename, the
number of columns set for lines B to O, the total number of pages allocated
already and the page number displayed.

 Each line consists of two fields:
 (1) a Text field of 60 characters, and to the right,
 (2) a Command field of 4 characters.

    For Menus, the Text fields are displayed by SkyWriter programs.
    On page 1 only, the fourth character of the line A Command field sets
the number of pages in the menu (e.g., 1 to 9).  The first and second may
be used for the H,K and/or O commands (see Programmer's Guide).
    On each menu page, the third character of the line A Command field sets
the number of columns (1 to 6) for lines B to O of that page.
    Lines A and P are always one column, that is, 60 character fields.
    If the line A Command field is blank (undefined), one page and one
column is assumed.  Otherwise, menu Command fields are unused.

    For Programs, the number of program pages is set as in menus.
    (Subdividing the Text field into more than one column may sometimes be
useful on some program pages.)
    The Command fields contain one or more SkyWriter Language instructions.
    The Text fields contain further program information.
    (Please see the SkyWriter Language Programmer's Guide for details.)

21. Below this work space, Format command options are listed.  Except when
indicated, these are single keystroke commands (no "Enter" required):

...Edit A to P  Select a display line for editing options.
    The Tab key is used to select the Text Field column or the Command
Field.  Otherwise, the first column is assumed.
    When line A to P is selected, the edit function is assumed and the
cursor locates in the selected field.  Type in new text and then "Enter".
Type "Enter" only to leave the field intact or to select special line
functions in section 22 below.

    NOTE: If the user inadvertently locates the cursor in a display field,
enter a null string, that is, delete any characters that may have been
typed, then "Enter".)

...Tab  If a page has more than one column, the "Tab" key selects the
desired column for edits of lines B to O.  The cursor position shows which
column the user is selecting with each "Tab".

...1 to 9  Select a display page ("0" selects p.  10).  ">" and "<" also
change the page displayed to the next higher or lower pages respectively.

...Escape  "Esc" exits editing, stores the edited information, and Format
returns to step 17 above.

22.  If a selected field is not edited ("Enter" only) in section 21 above,
the following line functions may be performed:

...Clear  "C" clears the displayed menu page. 

...Delete  "D" deletes both fields of the selected line.

...Move  These options move the text field of the selected line one position
to the right (">") or to the left ("<").
    NOTE: Most often, menu text fields for beginning a sentence are indented
two spaces to observe the normal spacing between sentences; and text
alternatives for continuing a sentence are indented one space for normal
spacing between words.  These Move options permit an easy method to change
indentations.

...Print  "P" prints the SkyWriter menu or program on the line printer.

...Swap  "S" swaps the selected line with another line selected by the user
after the user is prompted.
    NOTE: It is easy to reorder a program or menu.  Usually, frequently used
menu choices are positioned near the top.

It is often required to edit a number of menus with the same name (TOPIC),
but with different extensions (MENU).  After the user has already selected a
TOPIC for the Format program to edit, the user does not have to reenter the
same over and over to edit various menus in the same TOPIC.  Thus, pressing
"Enter" only to the TOPIC prompt will cause Format to assume the user
desires to edit another file with the same name and proceeds directly to the
MENU prompt, where a different menu can be selected.

Exit Format to the SOS Main Menu by pressing "Enter" to the MENU prompt.

Copyright 1991 James J. Keene, Ph.D.
