Version 6.3.8 for Windows
 —  Programming Guide  —

GUI Design Tips

This document covers the following topics:


Introduction

Designing the screens for a GUI application requires different knowledge than designing the 3270 screens for a mainframe. Why is it different?

It is different, because GUI applications put the users in control; these applications are non-modal and unstructured. The users choose the order in which they access windows, and fields within the windows. Traditional database applications often require the users to perform operations in a specific order; these applications are form-oriented and structured.

Designing a GUI screen is also different, because the GUI interface has different capabilities than a traditional mainframe interface. You can design windows that incorporate dialog elements, such as push button controls and list box controls. As you design your GUI windows, which are called dialogs in event-driven Natural, you define the font type and size of the text, the background and foreground colors, and the size of each window.

The following sections provide some tips for effective GUI design.

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Do Your Research

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Screen Design

Conversational Screens

Data-Entry Screens

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Menu Design

The following three criteria are recommended for designing menus.

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Color Usage

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Consistency Check

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