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MODAL vs MODELESS ?

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    MODAL vs MODELESS ?

    Could someone give me a CLEAR interpitation of:
    1) modal
    2) modeless
    3) How and why one is used and not the other or visa versa?
    4) How and where it is applied.
    Thanks to all
    Al

    #2
    RE: MODAL vs MODELESS ?

    Like most things in IT, it's a fairly simple thing dressed up to make it seem complicated.

    Basically, modal means that the programmer has decided which order you should answer things. This is much easier for the programmer because s/he can validate input knowing exactly what you have done so far on an entry form, for example. An "OK" button, or Yes/No choice that HAS to be pressed before continuing is modal.

    Most forms in a GUI environment, like A5, are non-modal in the sense that they can usually be filled in in a sequence decided by the user. This requires a more sophisticated validation by the programmer but is usually easier for the operator as, for instance, a modification to one field can be made by clicking that field, rather than having to move from the top to the bottom of the form to get to the field.

    DOS - mostly modal
    Windows - mostly non-modal

    A modal window is one that has to be closed before another window can be accessed, although the contents of the window could be non-modal.

    I'll stop now before I just confuse both of us!

    Comment


      #3
      RE: MODAL vs MODELESS ?

      Al,

      Yes, this can be very confusing and I'm not sure I fully understand it.

      Here's another way to understand it. If the form is set to Modal, once a record is saved, it cannot be edited UNLESS you put the form into edit mode. This keeps the records from inadvertently being changed.

      You can create a button to do this or I believe, press the F3 key.

      kenn
      TYVM :) kenn

      Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

      Comment


        #4
        RE: MODAL vs MODELESS ?

        I'm not sure how Ken intended the "another way" comment to be interpreted. Essentially, his examply is another usage of "modal".

        As Martin stated, you can have modal forms or modal fields/objects. And, as Ken pointed out, you can have modal data entry. Somebody else may be able to point out other features that can also be modal.

        As I understand it, "modal" basically means, "You can't go anywhere else until you finish here." (Even that has to be interpreted loosely when talking about modal data entry because that's more like, "You can't do it until you specifically ask to.")

        By the way, many of us have had the same question and I'm still not sure I completely understand it.

        Comment


          #5
          RE: MODAL vs MODELESS ?

          Hi Cal,

          ...By the way, many of us have had the same question and I'm still not sure I completely understand it...

          Yup, that sums it up for me.

          kenn
          TYVM :) kenn

          Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

          Comment


            #6
            RE: MODAL vs MODELESS ?

            Modal is used because it is simpler for the computer to manage, especially with multiple users on a network. The computer doesn't have to lock out two users when they both happen upon the same record because its likely that one of them is in the modal Read Only mode. You have to request an entry or change mode to get into those modes. The reading of records is also faster in read only mode.

            Non-modal is used because of its convience to users. Since the non-modal field is always open for writes, the user can just click on it and start typing. The computer takes care of all the lock out processing and other things to make this possible.

            The down side to this is that the computer never knows when users might start a change or entry process, so it has to run around and keep each users records locked from other users who might just happen to be scrolling by during an change process.

            As a result, modal entry is sometimes used as an optimization process to avoid certain locking conflicts and make record write conflicts less likely.

            Dave

            Comment


              #7
              RE: MODAL vs MODELESS ?

              Dave,
              Thanks for that detailed explination.

              I will try to remember it.

              Al

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