Keyboard Control

[russ Boehle]

I am trying to develop a script to make A5 operable by use of the keyboard to a larger extent, but don't want records to be modeless as this will create all kinds of problems for our operation. Use of the mouse slows down data entry considerably. (Also with the recent OSHA regulation on ergonomics, I think a lot of corporations will be looking for ways to get away from the mouse)
My idea is to open a form with allow_change set to F and as long as it is set to false trap the keystrokes and use them for enrty control. (pretty much like in A4)If the user selects "E" or "C" then allow_change will be set to T and the onkey events will no longer be valid. Below is what I have tried and it doesn't do anything except not allow changes. What am I doing wrong on the onkey part. I have this attached to the onactivate event of the form. I hope to make this a global function so I can use it with any form. I will use a dummy menu with choices but the choices will really be processed by the onkey event, the menu on screen is just a guide. In writing this I'm also thinking maybe this is the wrong way to go about this and maybe it can be done with a toolbar but it has to be global so it works with any form. Has anyone done something like this? Does anyone know if this capability is in V5 by default? I have heard that V5 will be modal.

thanks
Russ

mode=this.mode_get()
this.allow_change(.F.)
if mode="0"
select
case ut(a_user.key.value)="C"
this.allow_change(.T.)
case ut(a_user.key.value)="E"
this.allow_change(.T.)
this.new_record()
end select
end if
if mode="1".or.mode="2"
select
case a_user.key.value={F10}
this.commit()
end select
end if
end

[Peter.Wayne]

RE: Keyboard Control

check out www.learn alpha.com for an article on how to disable modeless data entry.
v5 will have an option to disable modeless data entry.

[Lowell Wardlow]

RE: Keyboard Control

Russ - I use the attached script on each form on the OnKey event. Save it to FKEYS, then you can copy it the the OnKey event and modify it for the particular form.

If it doesnt show up well, let me know and I will email you
a copy

Lowell

============================================================



''XBasic global script FKEYS

' This script is saved as FKEYS global script so that it may be copied to each form
' and modified as required for the particular form.

' Script to capture keys and execute fuctions - F2,F3,F9,10,11,12,ESCAPE,

' This script assumes a text box on the form (ActiveMode) to show the current active mode.
' since CHANGE is not sent untill a change as actually made to a record, CHANGE is forced
' to the lable just for information to the user.

' To DEBUG, delete the comment (') mark's preceeding the DEBUG commands for the key in question

dim shared mode as c
dim old_mode as c



select
case a_user.key.value = "{F2}" ' emulates v1 F2 drop down list key
'DEBUG(1)
a_user.key.handle = .t.
sys_send_keys("{%down}") ' send windows command for drop down list
'DEBUG(0)
'-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
case a_user.key.value = "{F3}" ' trap and ignore F3
a_user.key.handled = .t. ' but handle the keystroke
'-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
case a_user.key.value = "{F9}" ' NEWREC -set ENTER mode ONLY if in VIEW, start new record
'DEBUG(1)
a_user.key.handled = .t. ' if current mode is ENTER/CHANGE,ignore key
if a_user.key.event = "down" ' remember,if CHANGE has been selected but nothing changed,
mode = this.mode_get() ' then mode is still VIEW - allow new record
old_mode = mode

if mode = "VIEW" then '
this.allow_change(.t.)
this.new_record()
end if

mode = this.mode_get()
ActiveMode.text = mode
Field1.activate()
end if
'DEBUG(0)
'-------------------------------------------------------------------------
case a_user.key.value = "{F10}" ' set CHANGE mode
'DEBUG(1)
a_user.key.handled = .t. ' if current mode is ENTER/CHANGE,ignore key
if a_user.key.event = "down"
mode = this.mode_get()
old_mode = mode

if old_mode = "VIEW" then
this.allow_change(.t.)
ActiveMode.text = "CHANGE" ' show it as being in CHANGE, even though it's still in VIEW
end if

mode = this.mode_get() ' but get the REAL mode for later checking

FIELD1.activate()
end if
'DEBUG(0)
'-------------------------------------------------------------------------
case a_user.key.value = "{F11}" ' CANCEL current record if mode is not VIEW, leave it in VIEW
'DEBUG(1)
a_user.key.handled = .t.
if a_user.key.event = "down"
mode = this.mode_get()
old_mode = mode

this.cancel()
this.allow_change(.f.)
ActiveMode.text = "CANCEL"

mode = this.mode_get()
ActiveMode.text= mode
this.resynch()
FIELD1.activate()
end if
'DEBUG(0)
'-------------------------------------------------------------------------
case a_user.key.value = "{F12}" ' SAVE current record if mode is not VIEW
'DEBUG(1)
a_user.key.handled = .t. ' if current mode is CHANGE, set back to VIEW
if a_user.key.event = "down" ' if current mode is ENTER, continue in ENTER mode
mode = this.mode_get()
old_mode = mode

if mode "VIEW" then
ActiveMode.text = "SAVING"
this.commit()
end if

this.allow_change(.f.)

if old_mode = "ENTER"
this.allow_change(.t.)
this.new_record()
end if

mode = this.mode_get()
ActiveMode.text = mode
FIELD1.activate()
end if
'DEBUG(0)
'------------------------------------------------------------------------'
case a_user.key.value = "{ESC}" ' CANCEL current record (same as F11) if mode is not VIEW
DEBUG(1)
a_user.key.handled = .t. ' and leave in VIEW
if a_user.key.event = "down"
mode = this.mode_get()
old_mode = mode

this.cancel()
ActiveMode.text = "CANCEL"
this.allow_change(.F.)

mode = this.mode_get()
ActiveMode.text = mode
FIELD1.activate()

end if
DEBUG(0)
'----------------------------------------------------------------------------


END SELECT

[russ Boehle]

RE: Keyboard Control

Thanks to both of you for the info. Both sources are valuable and just what I need as a starting point. I'm pretty new at this and would probably give up (and stay with A4) if not for all the great help by people like you.

Thanks Again
Russ