Window elements

Each window in your application is composed of the window’s names, window type, scripts attached to the window, and the window layout. You will use the layout window and toolbox to create the window. You will use the Properties window to specify additional characteristics of the window.

Names

Two names are required for the window. The window name is used in scripts to refer to the window. Window names are easier to use in scripts when they have underscores (_) between parts of the name instead of spaces.

The window title appears in the title bar of the window when it’s displayed on the screen. This name can be the same as the window name, but typically should contain spaces rather than underscores.

When you create a window, the window name and title are set to default values. You will want to change these settings to names appropriate for the window you are creating. The following names are for a window containing customer information:

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Name

Customer_Maintenance

Title

Customer Maintenance


Window type

The type of window you create is specified by the WindowType property in the Properties window. Dexterity allows you to choose from seven window types: primary, modal dialog, modeless dialog, lookup, wizard, palette and toolbar. The following are the commonly used window types:

The following table lists the characteristics of the various types of windows:

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System menu

Title

Minimize/Maximize

Close box

Primary

X

X

X

X*

Modal Dialog

 

X

X

 

Modeless Dialog

X

X

X

X*

Lookup

 

X

 

X*

Palette

 

 

 

X*

Wizard

X

X

X

 

* Controlled by a property


Scripts

Each window can have several scripts associated with it. The window pre script and window post script run when the window opens and closes, respectively. Refer to Attaching Scripts for more information about window scripts.

The window layout

You will use the window layout to add fields, interactive controls, and static items such as text and pictures to the window. These are the items that make the window functional.


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