You can use the service flow project editors to create source files
in Smart Logical format and to visually edit bidirectional data.
Smart Logical format
The service
flow project tools save bidirectional data in Smart Logical format. This format
is an extension of the standard Logical format that is used for editing and
presentation of host visual data. Smart Logical format uses LRM and RLM markers
extensively; it is completely compatible with Windows® systems and Unicode standards.
All source files created in with the service flow project tools (SFMXSD files,
generated COBOL screens, and HATS screens) are created in Smart Logical format.
You
can use the System z® LPEX editor to edit Smart Logical files by using a special Visual line
facility. To activate this facility, press Alt + =.
Visual editing of bidirectional data
The
service flow project tools enable visual editing of bidirectional data. Visual
editing of bidirectional data has several advantages:
- The possibility to override system reordering which does not permit some
complex bidirectional strings to be typed
- Better cursor and mouse selection
Some views automatically permit visual editing automatically. Other views,
such as source views, require the user to press certain key combinations.
Key combination shortcuts
In the Source
view editor and the compose mapping expression editor, you can use the following
key combinations to view and edit bidirectional text:
- Shift+NumLock
- This key combination toggles between Visual and Logical modes. You cannot
enter bidirectional text in Visual mode.
- Ctrl+NumLock
- This key combination enables the editing of bidirectional data. A Visual
input field is displayed, and the text is inserted at the cursor location.
This field is available in both Visual and Logical modes.
Terminal flow
When you enter values for
prompts, the data is edited in the format that was specified for the Receive
interface message. For extracts, the data is displayed in the format that
was specified for the Reply interface message.
Screen attributes
For a bidirectional-enabled
service flow project, bidirectional text can be displayed and edited in the
Property and Outline views of the screen message editor.
For a screen, the
following properties are displayed:
- Code Page
- The host code-page setting
- Numeric Swapping
- True or false
- Symmetric Swapping
- True or false
- Text Orientation
- Left-to-right (LTR) or right-to-left (RTL)
To modify the orientation of a screen, change the property
value and click on the screen image. The mirror image is displayed.
Note: All screens must have the correct bidirectional attributes before
they are saved. For example, if you define a screen as having right-to-left
orientation, the screen message editor will convert all extracts and prompts
accordingly.
Field attributes
Select a field in the Outline
view to change the orientation. You can select from the following options:
- Inherits
- The field orientation is the same as the screen orientation.
- Numeric
- The field orientation is always left-to-right.
- Opposite
- The field orientation is the opposite of the screen orientation.