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 the Microsoft Windows operating
system 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.