INPUT MESSAGE

FUNCTION This command uses messages from Dictionary-IV to prompt for and accept operator input from the terminal.

SYNTAX

INPUT MESSAGE msg-code-string INTO data-name/variable
         [USING "msg-dict-name"]
         [POST-HELP PROCESS IS procedure]

         msg-code-string

            type, number [, display-mode [, clear [, (col,ln)
            [, *1-replacement [, *2-replacement ..]]]]]

type

is one of the following values:

I	Input
N Non-Input
P	Prompt
S	Selector (normal and background reverse video)
Y Yes/No
i	Input, prints data from "INTO" data-name or variable as default value
n	Non-Input, no suffix, no carriage return needed
s	Selector (background reverse video and foreground reverse video)
x	Non-Input, no suffix, carriage return needed

number

the number of a message in Dictionary-IV.

display-mode

is one of the following values:

(blank)	Standard Print Mode
B	Background
C	Clear message area and exit
F	Foreground
R	Reverse Video Foreground
X	Return Message, do not print
r	Reverse Video Background

clear

is one of the following values:

A	Clear Line Before & After
B	Clear Line Before
C	Clear Line After
D	Clear Message Area After
E	Clear Screen Before & After
F	Clear Screen Before
G	Clear Screen After
X	Do Not Clear
(blank) Do Not Clear

col,ln

the column and line position of the display, where (0,0) specifies the top left of the screen.

*1-replacement

if the message number is null, this can specify a message. If the message number is not null this contains a string value that is to be placed in a message that contains *1, *2, and so on.

msg-dict-name

the name of a Dictionary-IV defined message dictionary.

procedure

the name of a procedure to be performed.

data-name/variable

a numeric data name or variable name.

NOTES

• If the USING “msg-dict-name” clause is not specified, the system will use the last opened message dictionary. The USING option overrides this default for the current command.
• INPUT MESSAGE msg-code-string INTO prints the specified message from the message dictionary and stores operator response in the data-name or variable specified by the INTO clause.
• All parameters specified with the INPUT MESSAGE command override the values defined for the message in the message dictionary.
• POST-HELP procedure is a procedure performed after help is displayed, if the operator requested on-line help.
• The replacement value in the msg-code-string can specify a replacement value that is to be placed in a message that contains *1, *2, and so on.
• In order to perform a replacement, the message must contain a *1. If the replacement value is ABCD, and the message is ‘File *1 is busy,’ then the displayed message will be ‘File ABCD is busy’. For each substitution there is another *n entry in the message, where n is a positive integer.
• To display a non-dictionary message using the msg-code-string options, specify a null message number, any display mode, clear, or position options and a *n-replacement that equals the message you wish to display.
• The TERM-KEY variable can be used to specify an input time limit.
• The elastic string variable ]MD$ controls whether the message is printed in the current window, in a new window, or physically on the screen. For more information see the on-line documentation for the Dictionary-IV API 8MSG and refer to the ninth entry in the 8MSG message array. Setting ]MD$=“*” applies the default.

EXAMPLES

INPUT MESSAGE "I,2" INTO INPUT-FLAG USING "4SSAMPLE"

INPUT MESSAGE "Y,5" INTO INPUT-FLAG
IF INPUT-FLAG = "Y" THEN
   LET INPUT-FLAG = "T"
ELSE
   IF INPUT-FLAG = "N" THEN
      LET INPUT-FLAG = " "
   ENDIF
ENDIF

SEE ALSO

OPEN MESSAGE, PRINT MESSAGE, TERM-KEY

From the Script-IV Language Reference, version 8.9.1. Open this page in the PDF