On desktop computers, they keyboard is a physical construct outside the software environment. You have no control over what keys the user may press. Consequentially, data validation is sometimes required in applications to ensure text entered for something like a phone number only contains numbers.
In tablets and mobile devices, however, keyboards are emulated. This presents a unique opportunity. You can reduce the need for data validation and stop the user from entering bad data by providing customized keypads that only contain valid characters.
In the sample tablet application, specialized keypads were built for capturing information for a car inspection. The Editors for the Odometer and VIN Number both use custom keypads. In this video, Dan Bricklin explains in detail how these keypads were built using a ViewBox and a bit of Javascript.
Tablet Optimized Forms: Custom Keypads
Presented by Dan Bricklin, Alpha Software CTO
Video Link: http://www.alphasoftware.com/video-library/?v=4912
Prerequisite Knowledge Base
It's not necessary that you actually know what the sample application is for this video, but if you haven't seen it yet or want to download it, check out these awesome links:
This video is pretty advanced. But don't that that deter you! If you have any questions or need help understanding what's going on, post your questions below so that we can help you out.
In tablets and mobile devices, however, keyboards are emulated. This presents a unique opportunity. You can reduce the need for data validation and stop the user from entering bad data by providing customized keypads that only contain valid characters.
In the sample tablet application, specialized keypads were built for capturing information for a car inspection. The Editors for the Odometer and VIN Number both use custom keypads. In this video, Dan Bricklin explains in detail how these keypads were built using a ViewBox and a bit of Javascript.
Tablet Optimized Forms: Custom Keypads
Presented by Dan Bricklin, Alpha Software CTO
Video Link: http://www.alphasoftware.com/video-library/?v=4912
Prerequisite Knowledge Base
It's not necessary that you actually know what the sample application is for this video, but if you haven't seen it yet or want to download it, check out these awesome links:
- Tablet Sample Application Overview: Presented by Dan Bricklin, Alpha Software CTO, this is an overview of the sample tablet application's features
- Sample Tablet App: Get a copy of the sample tablet application and follow along!
- ViewBoxes: Build a Star Rating: Custom keypads couldn't be built without ViewBoxes. Learn how to build a star rating control from scratch in this easy-to-follow step-by-step tutorial and discover how versatile the ViewBox can be.
This video is pretty advanced. But don't that that deter you! If you have any questions or need help understanding what's going on, post your questions below so that we can help you out.
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