Overview of Chapters 3-1 thru 3-16

Processes are reusable software building blocks for constructing APPX applications. Chapters 3-1 thru 3-16 of this manual provide 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.

Here is a summary of the content provided in Chapters 3-1 thru 3-16:

·    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, output, and inquiry processes. Chapter 3-14 covers the standard features of the Image Editor, applicable to both GUI and non-GUI environments. Chapter 3-15 addresses the GUI features of the Image Editor, applicable only to GUI environments. GUI features include graphical attributes such as title bars, icons, pictures, and wallpapers as well as various user option presentations in the design of menu and input 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.

·    Chapters 3-3 through 3-16 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.