by Chris Ramsdale
As promised in the Model 204 Product Plan published last September, Model 204 V4R1 started shipping on Monday, June 30th.
This release of Model 204 continues to capitalize on its traditional strengths - performance, stability and usability - to help you run your mission-critical applications.
You told us last year that you wanted the very next release of Model 204 to be Year 2000 ready. With V4R1, not only is the nucleus now Year 2000 ready, but we have also added features to assist you in modifying your own User Language application code for Year 2000 compliance.
All other new features of Model 204 V4R1 come from the IMPACT wish list and last year's product planning process, including performance enhancements for MP/204 users.
Beta testing concentrated primarily on Year 2000 compliance. CCA will not release the new version of CRAM until we are satisfied that it has been tested to a proven commercial standard. We currently expect the new CRAM to be released before the end of the year.
With the release of System 1032 V9.7 in April, we at Computer Corporation of America believe that these new software releases demonstrate our commitment to continue supplying high-performance, open access to very large volumes of information with greater efficiency and flexibility than any other platforms well into the next century.
In the next few weeks, watch for the 1997 Customer Survey from CCA soliciting your expectations for the future of Model 204. Now that Model 204 is ready for the year 2000, we are already looking beyond.
System 1032 Forms Tool: PFKEYS_LIB
by Tym Stegner System 1032 Forms have several convenient features, such as the use of the PF function keys to toggle between different modes for data entry or field visitation purposes.
For example, the PF1 key toggles data entry between Insert and Overstrike modes. The PF4 key toggles the arrow keys between intra-field and inter-field visitation.
There are times when it would be useful if the alternate modes could be set from within the program itself, rather than requiring the user to press the proper key. Until recently, this was not possible without a new forms feature. Now, however, CCA has created a tool to address this concern.
The library PFKEYS_LIB contains several procedures to enable the following forms-related features:
The DO_PFKEY procedure simulates the pressing of one of the PF keys. It takes a parameter indicating which key is to be "pressed." The PF key action then takes place during the next GET FORM command.
The TRACE_ON/TRACE_OFF procedures enable tracking of either input or output for a form. Input is all data and cursor commands (tabs, escape tab, and arrow key strokes) performed by a user of a form for a given GET FORM command. Output is all data written to the form by the program.
You can trace both input and output using separate calls to the procedures. Calling these procedures also sets the status variables so that your program can query for tracing modes.
The REPLAY procedure causes an input trace to be "replayed" into the form during a GET FORM command, causing the same data entry as if the user were doing the data entry. The REPLAY procedure might be used in a QA role, to test versions of forms-based applications.
CCA is making this library available to users who have subscribed to support services. The library is available on an "AS IS" basis, subject to the warranty disclaimers and limitation of liability set forth in your license or maintenance agreement.
CCA plans to make the library generally available in the upcoming release of System 1032 V9.71-0.
CCA Education Services is pleased to announce a new addition to our course offerings. The Model 204 V4R1 Update Class gives you information about new tools and features of this release and those designed specifically to handle year 2000 issues.
Topics include:
Scheduled offerings of this one-day class are on August 11, October 23, and December 5 in the Federal Office and Training Center in McLean, VA. CCA instructors are also available to teach this class at your company site.
For more information about any of these options, call CCA Education Services at 508-270-6666.
Contact CCA Webmaster Copyright 2008
