LXE 1280 Reference Guide

Page of 260
Expanded Functions 
153 
E-SW-LDSPLUSRG-G 
LDS Plus Reference Guide 
G: Load the Form Buffer into the Compose Buffer and Fill with Data 
Expanded Function G is a message that copies the form that is currently in the form buffer into 
the DOS terminal's compose buffer and fills the form with any text that is contained in the 
message. 
Expanded Function G can alter both the size and number of fields that the DOS terminal returns to 
the host computer, but it does not alter the original form in the form buffer. 
Note: 
The form must be in the form buffer before expanded function G is called. 
Application 
Use Expanded Function G to fill a form with data that calls the operator's attention to an invalid 
entry. 
Attributes 
Two beeps 
No change in automatic transmit buffer length 
Example 
 
   
 
   
Y
 is the control character that is used when sending 
an expanded function. 
 
   
 
   
G
 is the N/EF character that moves a form from the 
form buffer and fills it with data. 
 
   
 
     
The carat 
^
 and backslash 
\
 characters indicate 
protected and unprotected test respectively. 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
<02S
Y
G
^
12345100
\
A4L20
^
PLEASE USE LOCATION A4L21C
R
L
F
 
Figure 5-6  Expanded Function G Forced Message 
What Happens 
The following process is an example of one way that Expanded Function G can be used: 
This function copies the form from the form buffer into the compose buffer and then fills the 
unprotected character positions with any text which is contained in the message. Note that the 
form must already be in the form buffer either by operator action or by any of the actions available 
to the host. 
The unprotected fields of the form are filled character-by-character from the receive buffer until 
the end of the received message is reached. For example, if the first unprotected field has ten 
positions and the second unprotected field has eight positions, a text of fourteen characters will 
fully fill the first unprotected field and write four characters into the second unprotected field. 
When the operator views the form, the cursor will be at the first character position of the first 
unprotected field. Initially, the cursor will always appear at the first character of the first 
unprotected field. 
By default the characters that are moved into the form are unprotected. But, the host can use 
expanded function G to protect or unprotect the individual characters of the fill text. If the caret 
(^) character is encountered in the fill text, all following characters are moved into the form as 
“protected” characters. If a later backslash (\) is encountered in the fill text it will switch the fill