3-01:Overview of Chapters 3-1 thru 3-17

Chapter 3-1: Overview of APPX Processes

Overview of Chapters 3-1 thru 3-17

Processes are reusable software building blocks for constructing APPX applications. Part 3 of this manual provides a conceptual overview of APPX’s process facility and detailed instructions for completing the specifications on process screens and overlays. With the exception of the conceptual material in Chapters 3-1, 3-2, and 3-16, this part of the manual is organized according to the flow of screens and overlays in the facility.

Part 3 is divided into 17 chapters:

· Chapters 3-1 and 3-2 provide a conceptual discussion of the process facility and its relationship to other facilities within APPX.

· Chapters 3-3 through 3-12 each provide detailed information on creating processes in the process facility. These chapters follow the sequence of screens and overlays you navigate when defining a process. Chapter 3-3 describes the specifications that are common to all types of processes in APPX. Chapters 3-4 through 3-12 each describe the specifications that are unique to a specific type of process. Most sections are procedural in that they discuss the specifications you enter to define a process. Where appropriate, other sections are included to explain the importance of individual specifications in more detail, or the impact of one specification on another.

· Chapters 3-13, 3-14 and 3-15 are also procedural. Chapter 3-13 describes the specifications for invoking an automatic or optional child process. Chapters 3-14 and 3-15 explain the use of the image editor, APPX’s screen painting facility, which automatically invokes when you format images for APPX menu, input, and output processes.

· Chapter 3-16 discusses each APPX event point (the process component that permits you to insert procedural language into a process’ execution sequence). The chapter includes the chronology according to which the event point executes and examples of its use.

· Chapter 3-17 explores using graphical attributes such as title bars, icons, pictures, wallpapers and various user option presentations in the design of menu and input processes.

· Chapters 3-3 through 3-17 can be used as a reference guide by the experienced designer. Because each procedural section in the chapter corresponds to a screen or overlay, individual specifications are easy to locate. The specification definition provides complete entry information, including a specification’s length and character set, its valid options, default value, and references for further information, if appropriate.

Before attempting to define a process, you should be thoroughly familiar with the information contained in both the User Manual and the introduction to the process facility in Chapter 1-4: Understanding Process Design of this manual.

APPX Application Design Manual (01/13/03)