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LANSA's prompt key processing features offer the following benefits:

Vastly improved productivity. No RDML code is required to implement prompt key processing. In the Repository you define the link between the field being prompted and the prompting program that presents the pop up window.
A consistent and easy to use prompting interface.
Complete compliance with the SAA/CUA guidelines.

How to use it is described in these topics:

9.1 The PROMPT_KEY Parameter

9.2 Prompt Key Processing Programs

9.3 What Happens When the PROMPT Key is Used

9.4 The Simplest Type of Prompt Key Processing

9.5 Even More Complex Prompt Key Processing

What is PROMPT?

Under the IBM SAA/CUA standards, PROMPT is defined as:

"Prompt is a common dialogue action that assists users to complete entry fields. It can save time for users and reduce the chance of typing errors. To use prompt, users place the selection cursor on the entry field for which they want a list of possible entries. When they request prompt, a pop-up window appears containing a menu panel with single- or multiple-choice selection fields. When users select one or more choices from the selection field, the pop-up window disappears. The choice text is placed into the entry field as though users had typed it there."

A Prompt dialogue example:

User is working from an entry panel. They tab the cursor into the company number field and use the prompt function key:

^{DEMO01 Demonstration Panel}

^{Specify the following and press enter.}
^{Account number . . . . . ______________}
^{Account type . . . . . . . . __________}
^{Company number . . . _____}
^{Transaction amount . . ____________}

A pop-up window of all allowable company numbers is displayed. The user selects the desired (company 03) by placing the selection cursor on it and pressing enter:

^{DEMO01 Demonstration Panel}

^{..........................................................}^{Specify the following and press e: COMP01 Companies :}^{: :}^{Account number . . . . . . . _______ : Number Description :}^{: 01 ACME ENGINEERING :}^{Account type . . . . . . . . . _______ : 02 CONSOLIDATED ENG :}^{: 03 ACME WELDING :}^{Company number . . . . _____ : 04 DESIGN INC. :}^{: :}^{Transaction amount . . . _______ :.........................................................:}

The pop-up disappears and the selected company number is placed into the company number field just as if the user had keyed the value in:

^{DEMO01 Demonstration Panel}

^{Specify the following and press enter.}^{Account number . . . . . ______________}^{Account type . . . . . . __________}^{Company number . . . . . 03___}^{Transaction amount . . . ____________}