AS/400 programming – Field Exit query

AshishPathak

5 pts.

Tags:

AS/400 programming

Field Exit

Hi i am new in to AS/400 programming , and i want to know : What is the difference in Field Exiting in Input subfile and Tabbing the field in Input subfile?

Asked: July 13, 2009 3:40 PM Last updated: July 22, 2009 3:13 PM

Answer Wiki

Last updated: July 13, 2009 10:24 PM GMT

WilsonAlano2,710 pts.
History
Contributors
- Ordered by most recent
- WilsonAlano2,710 pts.

Thanks. We'll let you know when a new response is added.

Hi,

Field Exit will perform adjustments and fill if you tell your dspf to do that. For example if you want a numeric field right justified and filled with zeros on left you must use CHECK(RZ) and use Field Exit. There is no difference if you use it on a RECORD or in a SFL type record.

Regards,
Wilson

Discuss This Question: 9 Replies

Splat Jul 15, 2009 2:08 PM GMT

Why bother with requiring a field exit? The system will align the data in the field whether you require a CHECK(RZ) / CHECK(RB) or not, and data entry isn't really improved by requiring it.

12,270 pointsBadges:

report
WilsonAlano Jul 15, 2009 4:30 PM GMT

Fields are not aligned on entry without exit field key, they will be on output with format (edit code or edit word). IMHO, visually talking, exit field key can help users a lot. Wilson

2,710 pointsBadges:

report
WilsonAlano Jul 15, 2009 4:32 PM GMT

Just for info, we use "field exit" on all our green screen and we use JScript to align fields on web pages to help readability. Wilson

2,710 pointsBadges:

report
LeslieL Jul 16, 2009 2:39 PM GMT

Another consideration is that field exit turns on the modified data tag of the field while tab does not. Of course, if you enter data and tab, the MDT is turned on as well.

40 pointsBadges:

report
Splat Jul 17, 2009 3:18 PM GMT

The only thing a field exit key gets you on numeric input is a visual before you press Enter. Otherwise it's just more overhead. The system will perform decimal alignment on the numeric input in the input buffer whether CHECK(RZ) / CHECK(RB) are specified or no.

12,270 pointsBadges:

report
WilsonAlano Jul 17, 2009 6:00 PM GMT

Splat, Field exit key does not generate overhead because it's managed by the emulator/controller and system does not receives any data or command when you use it. And visual effect is very important! Wilson

2,710 pointsBadges:

report
Splat Jul 21, 2009 6:00 PM GMT

Wilson, In my experience the users don't really care if the data is aligned on entry, just when it's re-displayed. My main objection to CHECK(RZ) / CHECK(RB) is that they require a field exit key be used, which can be a pain. I agree that presentation is important (something too few developers take into account), but I also prefer to minimise the amount of work necessary.

12,270 pointsBadges:

report
YuVa47 Jul 22, 2009 2:05 PM GMT

Splat, so what is the difference to use field exit or tab? The user have to hit some key anyway. If you want to use tab is OK, but then you have to take care of the field allignement in your program.

1,300 pointsBadges:

report
Vatchy Jul 22, 2009 3:13 PM GMT

In my experience, if you have a numeric field and you type in a few numbers - left justified just like text - and don't press Field-Exit then you will get a number with trailing zeros instead of leading zeros. IOW, you will get 534200000 instead of 000005342.

1,415 pointsBadges:

report