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When a user presses either the HELP key or the function key assigned to SAA/CUA help facility (usually F1) a window will appear that overlays the lower portion of the current panel as in this example:
| Panel |
|---|
SAATEST Example |
| No Format |
| SAATEST Example SAA/CUA test process Enter number of function required or place cursor on same line _ 1. Display workstation messages 2. Work with customers 3. Work with orders 4. Work with communication linkstest process Enter number of function required or place cursor on same line _ 1. Display workstation messages
| | | IIIIIIIIII TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT | | uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu | | uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu | | uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu | | uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu | | uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu | | uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu | | uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu | | uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu | | uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu | | uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu | | | | F2=Ex help F3=Exit F11=Index F12=Cancel F14=Messages | | __________________| MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM |
Some points to notice about this HELP menu are:
- The panel identifier (IIIIIIIIII) is the name of the LANSA process, function or field that was used when the HELP facility was invoked. In the case of a process the process name is shown as the panel identifier. In the case of a function the function name is shown in the format fffffffHLP. Any imbedded blanks in the name are filled with "_" (underscore) characters. In the case of a field the field name is shown.
- The panel title (TTTTT.....TTTTT) is the description of the LANSA process, function or field being used at the time the HELP facility was invoked. It is automatically centred, and may be optionally automatically converted to uppercase (uppercase conversion requirement is defined at the partition level).
- The time and date is not shown in any HELP window. The overlayed process or function panel will show the date and time if it is enabled within the partition.
- Messages always on line 24. The IBM i operating system does not allow a message subfile to be successfully placed within a window – at the current time.
- Function keys appear on lines 21 and 22. They relate to the HELP facility window, not to the process or function that was in use at the time the HELP facility was invoked. Where only one line of function keys apply, they will be displayed on line 22. This creates a visual separation between the HELP text and the function key area.
- The following color and attribute table applies to HELP text windows. Since HELP text windows are "interpretive", these colors and attributes will always apply, no matter how color and attribute defaults for panel elements have been modified within the current partition:
Panel Component | Default Color | Other Attributes on Color Device | Attributes On Mono Device |
|---|---|---|---|
Identifier | Blue | None | None |
Title | Blue | None | None |
Text | Green | None | None |
Window border | Blue | None | None |
Messages | White | None | High intensity |
Function keys | Blue | None | None |
...