SHOW

Syntax:

       Then: SHOW exp

Version Ref:  3.x

Description:

SHOW displays an expression on the screen. It will show this expression centered on line 23 of the screen.

Examples:

         If:
       Then: show "This invoice is over customer's credit limit."

will display as

       This invoice is over the customer's credit limit.

You can clear a message put up with SHOW by SHOWing nothing.

@wlf2    If: 2 gt 19
       Then: show "This invoice is over customer's credit limit."
         If:
       Then: end
@wlf3    If: 3 eq "Y"
       Then: show "" ; end

Using SHOW "" will always clear line 23 of the screen, regardless of what is there or how it got there.

To show literals, they must be enclosed in quotes.

Prompt for user acknowledgment

The user can be automatically prompted for acknowledgment of a SHOW message, by making use of a special function of the SHOW statement. If the first character of a SHOW expression is an "@", the expression will be shown centered on line 23 as always, and the prompt "Press ENTER to continue." will be centered on line 24 below it. The user must press ENTER to clear the SHOW from the screen.

If:
       Then: show "@This invoice is over customer's credit limit."; end

The above code will display as:

       This invoice is over the customer's credit limit.
                    Press ENTER To Continue

IMPORTANT: Remember, the SHOW message is an expression. You can build it out of strings, fields and expressions. A simple example is as follows:

         If:
       Then: show "@Invoice over customer's credit limit of $"{14;end

where field 14 holds the credit limit. The following message is displayed.

       This invoice is over the customer's credit limit of $5000
                       Press ENTER To Continue

NOTE: Using SHOW "@" by itself will put up the prompt "Press ENTER To Continue" centered on line 24 by itself with nothing on line 23, and wait for the user to comply.

SHOW with Screen Positioning

Syntax:

       Then: SHOW(r,c,exp)

"r", "c" and "exp" are all expressions.

Displays the expression at position (r,c).

IMPORTANT: Same as SHOW command, but does not allow the use of the "@" to prompt for user acknowledgment. If the "@" is included along with row and column positioning, it will be ignored and the user will not be prompted for acknowledgment.

SHOW Codes

You can insert into a SHOW expression the codes for reverse video. At runtime, filePro will show these parts of the SHOW expression with this attribute (usually this means highlighting the area).

You can insert into a SHOW expression the code for a key's function, rather than the key name itself. At runtime, filePro will display the appropriate key label for the terminal type or computer on which you are running.

You can insert codes for the keypad graphics characters. At runtime, filePro will display the characters.

You can insert a hexadecimal code for any characters in a computer's character set. At runtime, filePro will display the characters.

(DOS only) You can insert codes to set and change background/foreground colors and intensity, to make your messages more attractive and conspicuous.

         If:

       Then: show "Are you \r SURE \r you want to delete this? "

The above code will display the message with the word SURE in reverse video.

NOTE: The SHOW Codes can also be used on HELP screens.