Some special features are provided by LANSA to enhance the display of HELP text.
These consist of special characters that can be used as follows:
Special Character | Effect |
|---|---|
%(percentage) | Display in high intensity |
{(left parenthesis) | Underline |
@(at) | Display in reverse image |
~(accent) | Blink |
}(right parenthesis) | Revert to normal display mode |
(backslash) | Revert to normal display mode |
Some examples of using these special characters are:
HELP Text Input Using SEU Displayed By LANSA As
the%item number\must the $#item number#$ must
the{item number}must the $@item number@$ must
%{VALIDATION RULES\ $%VALIDATION RULES%$
%{VALIDATION RULES} $%VALIDATION RULES%$
{%VALIDATION RULES} $%VALIDATION RULES%$ |
Where multiple enhancement characters are used together with no spaces between them they are "consolidated" into one enhancement character. For instance "%{" (high intensity, underline, blink) would be consolidated into one enhancement character that is used in the same position as the "". The "%" and "{" are replaced by blanks. This explains why in the last example above the underline ("{") attribute starts under the "V" in "VALIDATION" and not one character before it.
Note that a display enhancement cannot be continued over multiple lines. Display enhancements are considered to end at the end of the text line, even if a "revert to normal display" character ("\" or "}") is not used:
contact the{Accounts department or your data entry supervisor for more information.
would be displayed as:
contact the $@Accounts department or_________@$your data entry supervisor for more information.