Progress
Language Tutorial
for Character


Widgets

Since widgets make up the part of your application with which the end user interacts, it’s important to thoroughly understand how to use each widget. Table 3–1 provides a brief description of each type of widget.

Table 3–1: Widget Types
Widget
Use
Fill-in field
Displays and accepts any kind of data. When you display a variable or database field, the fill-in field is the default widget.
Text
Displays any kind of data as read-only text. The text widget is useful for creating lists, reports, or labels.
Selection list
Presents a list of value choices for a character variable or database field. A selection list can use scroll bars and allow multiple selections.
Combo box
Like a selection list, a combo box presents a list of value choices for a character variable or database field. The value list of a combo box is only visible after a user chooses the button next to the combo box. When the user selects a value, the combo box closes and displays only the selected value.
Editor
Displays and accepts as input character variables or database fields that can contain long strings. Use editor widgets where you want users to enter notes, descriptions, and so on.
Radio set
Displays and accepts data that has a limited number of possible values. Use radio sets to display options where the user understands that only one option can be true at a time.
Toggle box
Displays and accepts data that has either a YES/NO or TRUE/FALSE value.
Browser
Displays and optionally updates key fields from a subset of database records. You define the subset of records and fields which the browse displays. The user interacts with a browse in the same way as a selection list.
Slider
Displays and manipulates integer data. When the user moves the pointer on the trackbar inside the slider, the value changes proportionally to the move.
Rectangle
Creates a box. You might use a rectangle to group a set of widgets.
Image
Adds a high-resolution graphic to an interface. An image is a special widget available on GUI systems.
Button
Explicitly executes tasks. Use a button to allow the user to execute triggers or control the interface.
Frame
Creates a container for organizing and displaying other widgets.
Dialog box
Creates a frame that overlays the current interface. The main interface is disabled until the user is done working with the dialog box. A dialog box notifies the user of important information or requests more information. A dialog box is a container for other widgets.
Menu bar
Creates a collection of pull-down menus in a window. A menu bar can be attached only to a window widget.
Pull-down menu (submenu)
Organizes a related collection of commands and options for an application. A submenu can be attached to a menu bar, another widget, or a menu item.
Menu item
Creates an individual option on a submenu.

Since the goal of this section is to introduce widgets in general, you’ll work with just four widgets: fill-in fields, text widgets, rectangle widgets, and button widgets. The tutorial covers other widgets in later chapters.


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