Define a Character Mode Application Shell

Create a shell for Uniface applications that run in character mode on any supported platform, such as Unix or Linux.

1. In the U-Bar, click Browse, select prj, then choose the project you want to open.
2. In the Templates tab of the Resource Browser, select the Character Mode Shell template, and drag and drop it onto the project object in the Structure.
3. Right-click the new application shell and click Open to open it in the Application Shell Editor.

   Notice that the Shell Type property is set to APC (Character Mode).

4. Set the Presentation Properties applicable for your application.
   1. If you have defined global objects such messages and menus, click >> beside Library and select the application library containing these objects.
   2. Similarly, select the initial application menus and panels. (These may be overridden by form menus and panels.)
5. Optionally, in the I/O Message Level property, enter the number that reflects messages you want to record.

   I/O messages provide useful debugging information, particularly when you experience performance problems. For more information, see I/O Message Levels.

6. If you want to define your own properties:
   1. In Window/App, click the More icon () to open the Define Application Shell Properties dialog.
   2. In the More tab, enter the name and value of the property.
   3. Click the + icon to insert another property.
7. In the script editor, write ProcScript to define the application environment and actions required to initialize the application.

   For example, use the apStart trigger to set the language and library, or open a database that requires explicit logon information, and activate the first component.

   Note:  At a minimum, the application shell should activate the default form for the application.

   For more information, see trigger apStart.

8. Optionally, write code in other triggers to respond to user events and messages from other components.
   • trigger receiveMessage
   • trigger menu
   • trigger keyboardSwitch
   • trigger userKey
9. Define the layout of the application shell.
   1. Click the More () in the Shell Canvas property to display the Application Shell Canvas.

      This is not a graphical editor, in that the frames are not reflected on the canvas. Instead, it lists individual frame areas which have properties that define the dimensions and characteristics. Uniface automatically specifies the MESSAGE and FORMAREA frames.

   2. To edit an existing frame definition, position the cursor on the name and press Ctrl, F (^FRAME) to display the Edit Frame dialog. Edit the definitions and click Save.
   3. To define a new frame, position the cursor on a definition (or at the end the existing frames for a new definition) and press GOLD, F (usually Ctrl, F) to display the frame properties.

      If you have defined drop-down or popup menus, you can define the PULLDOWN and MENU frames to determine their dimensions.

   4. Set the frame properties. For information on valid values, press F1.
   5. To control the position of the MESSAGE frame and the PULLDOWN frame, you can set the $MESSAGE_LINE and $MENU_BAR assignment settings.
10. Click Compile to compile the application shell.

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