Form Definition Procedures 


1.2 FORM DEFINITION PROCEDURES 
 
1.2.1 How to Define a Form 
 
     Defining a Form involves specifying to FREEFORM the dimensions and the
data to be represented.  As pointed out in section 1.1, the dimensions of the
Forms are Page, Row, and Column.  FREEFORM creates a computerized
representation of the sheets of paper on which numerical problems are solved. 
 
     A Form definition consists of: (1) giving the Form a unique name, 
(2) specifying the dimensions and parameters of the Form pages, rows, and 
columns, and (3) describing the calculations, if any, to be performed.  These 
steps are only necessary the first time a Form is to be used.  All parameters 
which describe a Form and its contents are stored in disk files. 
 
     The Form definition program does the following: (1) creates an entry the 
directory file describing the dimensions and other attributes of the Form,
(2) creates and loads the control file per its specifications, detailing the
row and column parameters and calculations to be performed, (3) creates and
initializes a file to hold any constants that may be defined in the Form, (4)
creates and initializes a file to hold all the page titles, and (5) initializes
a data file of the proper size to hold the prescribed information. 
 
*<Note>  To avoid confusion, review the Standard Keyboard Procedures (1.1.3). 
 
   To envoke the new Form definition procedure select menu option number 1. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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          F R E E F O R M   The Electronic Worksheet  [F.4] 
          ========================================== 
                                        June 24, 1981
 
 
          0. 
          1.  Define new FORM controls <===== Form definition 
          2. 
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          9. 
 
 
 
          Enter desired option # _      Press ESC to leave  
 
     ********************************************************************* 
 
     When the program has been loaded, the screen will clear, and a new title 
will be displayed. 
 
               F R E E F O R M   F O R M S   C O N T R O L S 
               New Forms Definition 
 
     If FREEFORM does not find a 'directory' file it will display an error
message stating there is no directory.  If this happens, FREEFORM will ask if
another disk should be looked at.  If so, press <return> otherwise type <N>.  
If <return> was pressed the program will prompt for the disk drive number to 
search in for a directory file.  After receiving a valid disk drive number, the
program will instruct the user to insert a disk into that drive and press 
<return>. 
 
     If no FREEFORM directory exists then one needs to be created.  FREEFORM 
should be instructed to look on the disk that is to have a directory for a 
FREEFORM form.  An error message should appear stating that a directory was not
found and then FREEFORM will ask if another disk should be checked.  One should
respond by typing <N>.  FREEFORM will ask if a new directory should be created.
Press <return> or <Y>.  FREEFORM will create a directory on the last disk 
searched which is the reason for searching for a directory on one that does not
have one.  FREEFORM will display: 
 
*** Creating FREEFORM directory ... one moment, please 
 
Simply wait until this message disappears (several seconds). 
 
*<Note> The term 'directory' should not be confused with the system directory. 
 
     The program then checks to verify there is available space on the diskette
to add a new Form.  If there is not enough space, the message 
 
*** FREEFORM directory is full ... press RETURN 
 
will appear and FREEFORM automatically returns to the main menu. The options of
initializing a new diskette or deleting one or more Forms from the current
diskette are then available.  (For instructions on deleting Forms, see 1.5 Form
Controls Modification Procedures.) 
 
*** Form name (8 alpha max.)__________    Press ESC to leave 
 
*<Note> This prompt will only accept letters of the alphabet and the numbers
zero through nine. 
 
Respond by typing the name to be assigned to the new Form and pressing 
<return>.  If <esc> alone is pressed, control returns to the main menu.  If a 
valid Form name request is entered, the program then checks the directory to 
ensure against duplication of Form names.  If an existing Form is found with 
the input name, the option to replace the existing definition and data is 
given.  Replace the form by responding with a <Y> to the prompt 
 
*** Replace existing FORM? (Y/N)  N 
 
To avoid replacing a Form, simply press <return>.  The program will then prompt
for a new name. 
 
*<Note> Use with care as the replaced Form can not be recovered! 
 
     The program will then ask if checkpoint prompts are desired.  These 
prompts give the user a chance to review progress at various intervals during
Form definition.  Until experienced with the sequence of events and comfortable
with the various prompts, users should respond <Y> to this option. 
 
*<Note> Input will be displayed on the screen for visual verification. If 
errors are produced during definition, they can be corrected. 
 
     The Form definition program next prompts for descriptive information about
the Form being defined.  Optional identifiers such as user initials, 
descriptive comment, and definition date are provided to help the user keep
track of the location of Forms.  FREEFORM will function satisfactorily without
this information. 
 
     If space is available, the program then asks for the number of pages
desired, displaying the maximum number allowed.  The program will not allow the
user to exceed the maximum. 
 
*** How many Pages? __ (max. available is 100) 
 
     Next, the format of the Form is selected.  There are two choices: 
Row or Column formatting.  Formatting indicates whether data is homogenous
by row or column and the order in which calculations are performed.  Calculated
rows are done before calculated columns in row-formatted forms and vice versa 
in column formatted forms. 
 
*** Format Rows or Columns? (R/C)  R 
 
 
Examples: 
                   Row Formatted        |           Column Formatted   
            Col 1  Col 2  Col 3  Total  |           Col 1 Col 2  Col 3 
                                        |  
    Row 1    10.0  215.2   65.8  291.0  |   Row 1    10.0    20  0.500 
                                        |
    Row 2      20    460    135    615  |   Row 2   215.2   460  0.468
                                        |
    Row 3   0.500  0.468  0.489  1.457  |   Row 3    65.8   135  0.489
                                        |
                                        |   Total   291.0   615  1.457  
 
 


