Skip to content
Thoroughbred Software InternationalThoroughbred Software InternationalThoroughbred DocumentationDocs

Menus

OPENworkshop Menus

Section titled “OPENworkshop Menus”

OPENworkshop menus automatically convert to a graphical list. Any change made to the corresponding character definition is reflected in the graphical list. All VIP clients display a graphical list based on the common character definition on the host.

For performance, the graphical list is cached on the client. Each time an OPENworkshop menu is invoked the host compares the last change date and time and the current language code to the graphical list cached on the client. If these do not match, an updated graphical list is generated and cached on the client.

Mouse A single left mouse click highlights the item, a second left mouse click selects that item, a double left mouse click highlights and selects the menu item.

Scrollbars
Scrollbars are automatically added when needed.

Fonts The font name, font style, and point size can be controlled from the WorkStation Manager. For more information, please see the WorkStation Manager manual (Screen, Menu and Help Fonts tab). Fixed-width fonts are recommended to achieve proper text alignment within the list. Recommended fonts for on-line help are DejaVu Mono, Courier New, and IBMPCDOS. For more information, please see the WorkStation Manager manual (Screen, Menu and Help Fonts tab).

Width The width of the graphical list is determined by menu content or by the menu title. For more information, please see the WorkStation Manager manual (VIP tab).

Object Locations Often with graphical presentations, the desired location of objects is not identical to the character-based location. The graphical menu location can be saved on the client. For more information, please see the WorkStation Manager manual (Object Locations tab).

Dictionary-IV Menus

Section titled “Dictionary-IV Menus”

Dictionary-IV menu presentations are screen-based. Graphical Dictionary-IV menus are presented using graphical screen definitions. Graphical Dictionary-IV menus support all the features and functionality of a character-based Dictionary-IV menu, and also all the features and functionality of a graphical screen definition.

You can create custom graphical menus using the Graphical Screen Designer. For example, buttons can be added to a graphical menu that:

  • Return menu selections to the host.
  • Return keystrokes to the host. For example, a button can be added that will return a CTL=6 for help.
  • Will execute a Windows application. For example, buttons can be added to start a local email client, Excel, Word, or a web browser.

When working with graphical Dictionary-IV menus please refer to Create Graphic Presentation Screens section and the Graphic Screen Designer Section.

Matrix Menus

Section titled “Matrix Menus”

Matrix menus automatically convert to a grid control. Any change made to the corresponding character definition is reflected in the graphical matrix menu. All VIP clients display a graphical matrix menu based on a common character definition on the host.

For performance, the menu is cached on the client. Each time a matrix menu is invoked the host will compare the last change date and time and the current language code to the graphical menu cached on the client. If these do not match, an updated graphical menu is generated and cached on the client.

Mouse A single left click selects a cell. When a cell is selected a folder icon will be displayed indicating it is the current active cell. A double left click executes the menu selection defined in the cell.

Fonts The font name, font style, and point size can be controlled from the WorkStation Manager. For more information, please see refer to the WorkStation Manager manual (Screen, Menu and Help Fonts tab). Fixed-width fonts are recommended to achieve proper text alignment within the list. Recommended fonts for matrix menus are DejaVu Mono, Courier New, and IBMPCDOS. For more information, please see refer to the WorkStation Manager manual (Screen, Menu and Help Fonts tab).

Object Locations Often with a graphical presentation, the desired location of objects is not identical to the character-based location. The graphical menu location can be saved on the client. For more information, please see refer to the WorkStation Manager manual (Object Locations tab).

From the VIP for Dictionary-IV Reference, version 8.9.1. Open this page in the PDF