A text UI application presents a text-based user interface
similar to that of a 5250 or 3270 terminal.
The interface uses the entire screen window (unlike a command-line
interface, which uses a single line) and displays ASCII characters
only (no graphics).
The EGL implementation of Text UI centers on the Form part. A form
contains fields that are displayed together on a screen page or sent
together to a printer. The properties of each field determine how
that field is displayed or printed. EGL defines the following types
of forms:
- text
- Text forms display on a 3270 terminal screen, or in a window that
emulates a 3270 device. Fields can be constants or variables, except
in the special case of the help form (which contains constants only).
- print
- Print forms are sent to a printer, and can contain constant and
variable fields.
Each Form part must be included in a FormGroup part. For more information,
see Introduction to Form parts.
Use the EGL converse statement to carry
on a conversation with the user. This statement presents a text form
and accepts user input to fields on the form.