29
Fri, Nov
0 New Articles

User-defined Pop-up Menus

CL
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

The end-user interface on the AS/400 is probably about as good as it gets for character-based systems. However, if you are training a first-time user to use the system, it can still be a frustrating experience for both parties. Someone who is not computer-literate can find the various commands used to work with spool files, job queues, and messages difficult to remember. Let's face it: not everyone has learned to spell without vowels.

IBM made a valiant attempt to address this shortfall with Operational Assistant (OA). While OA offers a good alternative to remembering the commands, it can't be customized for individuals in your organization. Thus, you do not have the ability to decide which functions end users have access to and?more importantly?which they do not. Being able to tailor options for specific users gives you a simple level of security, without having to worry about how it will affect the rest of the users on the system. End-user support can also be made easier, because novice users are not as likely to get into trouble if they do not have access to commands they should not be running anyway.

In this article, we will introduce a program that allows you to present your users with a pop-up window of custom-tailored functions displayed in plain English, as shown in 1. When a user presses the attention key?no matter where he is in your system?he will be able to select the function he wants to perform without having to remember any cryptic commands. Best of all, you will have the power to control which commands you wish to make accessible to each user.

In this article, we will introduce a program that allows you to present your users with a pop-up window of custom-tailored functions displayed in plain English, as shown in Figure 1. When a user presses the attention key?no matter where he is in your system?he will be able to select the function he wants to perform without having to remember any cryptic commands. Best of all, you will have the power to control which commands you wish to make accessible to each user.

How It Works

The concept is relatively simple. When a user presses the attention key, he sees a pop-up window that contains options custom-tailored to his needs. A default set of options may also be established for new users or those users who do not need customization.

The pop-up window program was designed to read records from a physical file called REQ001PF (see 2). The key to this file is "User Name" and a sequence number that is used to determine the order of records on the screen. The other fields in the file are the command to be run and a definition field to hold your plain-English command description, which will appear in the pop-up window.

The pop-up window program was designed to read records from a physical file called REQ001PF (see Figure 2). The key to this file is "User Name" and a sequence number that is used to determine the order of records on the screen. The other fields in the file are the command to be run and a definition field to hold your plain-English command description, which will appear in the pop-up window.

Records entered with a blank User Name field will serve as the default options. When the program is run, it will look for records that match the user profile of the person running the program. If it doesn't find a match, the program will automatically bring records with a blank user into the window. When the user selects an option off the screen, the corresponding command is run through the QCMDEXC application program interface (API). What could be easier? There are no commands or parameters to memorize; the user just reads the screen, selects an option based on a description of what the function is, and the command is executed.

Due to space constraints, we are not publishing a program to maintain the REQ001PF file. You can either write your own program to maintain the file or use the Data File Utility (DFU) program.

Achtung!

For our purposes, we decided to call the menu program via the attention key. The beauty of this is that the attention key program is always available, regardless of the program the user happens to be running.

To activate the attention key program, change the user profile by entering the following command (you must have *SECADM authority to make changes to user profiles):

 CHGUSRPRF USRPRF(X) ATNPGM(REQ001RG) 

After the Change User Profile (CHGUSRPRF) command has been completed, the attention key program will be activated the next time the user signs on to the system. Whenever user X (where X is the appropriate user profile) presses the attention key, the window appears. As previously mentioned, the actual functions that appear in the window depend upon the records entered into the REQ001PF file.

Breaking Down the Code

The code for the display file, REQ001DF (see 3), and the RPG program, REQ001RG (see 4), is rather simple. We assume that there will not be many records per user in the REQ001PF file, so we use the "load-all" subfile technique to load the subfile. We did not have to code any paging routines because the system will handle paging for us.

The code for the display file, REQ001DF (see Figure 3), and the RPG program, REQ001RG (see Figure 4), is rather simple. We assume that there will not be many records per user in the REQ001PF file, so we use the "load-all" subfile technique to load the subfile. We did not have to code any paging routines because the system will handle paging for us.

We first check to see if the user (taken from the program status data structure) has any records in the REQ001PF file. If not, we use the default records, which are those that have a blank user. In addition to the fields being displayed in the subfile, we load the command into a hidden field so we can execute it once the user makes a selection.

After displaying the subfile, we set up a loop and read all changed subfile records looking for a "1" in the selection field. When a valid request is made, the program passes the hidden command field to the QCMDEXC API to execute the command. All of the normal prompting characters (??, ?*, and so on) can be used in the command field to prompt for the command.

I'd Like to Buy a Vowel, Please...

The beauty of this interface utility, from an end user's point of view, lies in its simplicity. There are no confusing commands to remember, and he does not have to learn to spell funny commands with names that do not include vowels.

The value of the utility from your point of view should be that you are able to restrict novice or "adventurous" users from getting into areas they don't belong in. If you couple this utility with a more restrictive security setup (by not allowing them to key commands), you will have a lot more control of what is and is not run on your system.

Doug Pence is the founder and Ron Hawkins is the research and development manager of Computer Processing Unlimited, Inc. in San Diego, California.

User-defined Pop-up Menus

Figure 1: Sample Output of the REQ001RG Program



User-defined Pop-up Menus

Figure 2: Physical File REQ001PF

 *=============================================================== * To compile: * * CRTPF FILE(XXX/REQ001PF) SRCFILE(XXX/QDDSSRC) * *=============================================================== *. 1 ...+... 2 ...+... 3 ...+... 4 ...+... 5 ...+... 6 ...+... 7 A R REQREC A USERNM 10 COLHDG('User name') A DSPFLD 45 COLHDG('Display field') A SEQ# 5 0 COLHDG('Sequence #') A COMAND 256 COLHDG('Command') A K USERNM A K SEQ# 
User-defined Pop-up Menus

Figure 3: Display File REQ001DF

 A*=============================================================== A* To compile: A* A* CRTDSPF FILE(XXX/REQ001DF) SRCFILE(XXX/QDDSSRC) + A* RSTDSP(*YES) A*=============================================================== A*. 1 ...+... 2 ...+... 3 ...+... 4 ...+... 5 ...+... 6 ...+... 7 A DSPSIZ(24 80 *DS3) A HELP ALTHELP A CA12(03) A CA03(03) A R WDWSFL SFL A SFLNXTCHG A SFLSEL 1A B 7 4VALUES('1' ' ') A SFDESC 45A O 7 8 A SFLRRN 4S 0H A HDCOMD 256A H A R WDWCTL SFLCTL(WDWSFL) A SFLSIZ(0050) A SFLPAG(0007) A 21 SFLDSP A SFLDSPCTL A N03 SFLEND(*MORE) A WINDOW(WDWFTR) A KEEP A OVERLAY A SETPOS 4S 0H SFLRCDNBR(*TOP) A CURPOS 5S 0H SFLSCROLL A 1 12'User Options for User' A DSPATR(HI) A 1 34USER DSPATR(HI) A 3 2'Type options, press Enter.' A COLOR(BLU) A 4 4'1=Select' A DSPATR(HI) A COLOR(BLU) A 6 3'Opt Request' A DSPATR(HI) A R WDWFTR A WINDOW(*DFT 16 53 *NORSTCSR) A 15 3'F3=Exit' A COLOR(BLU) A 15 13'F12=Cancel' A COLOR(BLU) A R DUMMY A KEEP A ASSUME A 1 2' ' *. 1 ...+... 2 ...+... 3 ...+... 4 ...+... 5 ...+... 6 ...+... 7 
User-defined Pop-up Menus

Figure 4: RPG Program REQ001RG

 *=============================================================== * To compile: * * CRTRPGPGM PGM(XXX/REQ001RG) SRCFILE(XXX/QRPGSRC) * *=============================================================== *. 1 ...+... 2 ...+... 3 ...+... 4 ...+... 5 ...+... 6 ...+... 7 FREQ001DFCF E WORKSTN F SFLRRNKSFILE WDWSFL FREQ001PFIF E K DISK I SDS I 254 263 USER * C MOVE *BLANKS SFLSEL C Z-ADD1 SETPOS C USER SETLLREQREC 24 C *IN24 IFEQ *OFF C MOVE *BLANKS USER C USER SETLLREQREC C ENDIF * C USER READEREQREC 24 C *IN24 DOWEQ*OFF C MOVE DSPFLD SFDESC C MOVE COMAND HDCOMD C ADD 1 SFLRRN C SETON 21 C WRITEWDWSFL C USER READEREQREC 24 C ENDDO * C WRITEWDWFTR C EXFMTWDWCTL 99 C *IN99 IFEQ *OFF C *IN03 DOWEQ*OFF C MOVE CURPOS SETPOS * C READCWDWSFL 41 C *IN41 DOWEQ*OFF C SFLSEL IFEQ '1' C CALL 'QCMDEXC' 99 C PARM HDCOMD C PARM 256 LENGTH 155 C MOVE *BLANKS SFLSEL C UPDATWDWSFL C ENDIF C READCWDWSFL 41 C ENDDO * C WRITEWDWFTR C EXFMTWDWCTL C ENDDO C ENDIF * C MOVE *ON *INLR *. 1 ...+... 2 ...+... 3 ...+... 4 ...+... 5 ...+... 6 ...+... 7 
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: