Painting GUI ISPECS
IE’s Interface Builder (IB) generates a GUI Model
containing EAD (LDA) GUI painted ISPECS automatically painted from a
user-defined set of standards. The user
can select data items and associate them with any presentation type (push button,
list box, etc.) available in the EAD (LDA) painter. IB then applies these GUI setting consistently throughout the
model.
Lynn
Wilson, Dallas, suggests: “We need to use information available from the LCIF
model. Using information such as existing LINC Value
Logic from the dictionary we can generate fields with value selection. We can generate check boxes, radio buttons
or list boxes depending on the list of values defined”
One
of the challenges in developing a GUI interface is the learning curve in using
the EAD (LDA) painter. Using the
painter to paint one ISPEC is not very difficult. In fact most developers find it fun and a change from day to day
coding. Probably the biggest risk is
the developer painting and repainting over and over again. But this is a normal process and should be
permitted for a short period of time.
Dennis Schmidt, Lexington, recommends: “Before
using IB to generate GUI ISPECs, the client should manually paint a sampling of
forms. From this experimentation,
standards will begin to evolve. While
we can provide a set of standards, each user should be able to decide for them
selves picking the GUI features they fine appealing and acceptable”. Once these standards are defined, IB can be
used to apply these standards for end-user review.
Lynn
further describes some of the benefits of IB GUI output: “The GUI Builder
alleviates the tedium of individually painting screens to a standard. The standard is defined to the Builder and
the screens are constructed, thus allowing the developer to focus on the
special aspects of screens instead of spending valuable time doing basic GUI
screen painting.”
This may then appear as
if it is a one-time user of IB to paint the GUI forms.