[Contents] [Index] [Previous]

Controls, Groups, and Models


CheckButton

7-1
If your application uses CheckButtons, each button graphically indicates its state (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

A CheckButton is used to select settings that are not mutually exclusive. The user needs to know whether the button is set or not.

7-2
When the user presses BSelect in a CheckButton, the CheckButton is armed. If the CheckButton was previously unset, it is shown in the set state. If the CheckButton was previously set, it is shown in the unset state (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Press arms a CheckButton and shows the result of activating it by releasing BSelect.

7-3
When the user releases BSelect in the same CheckButton that the press occurred in:

In all cases the CheckButton is disarmed, and, if the CheckButton is in a Menu, the Menu is unposted (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Release activates a CheckButton.

7-4
When the user presses [Enter] or in a CheckButton, if the CheckButton is in a window with a default action, the default action is activated. If the CheckButton is in a Menu:

[Enter] and perform the default action of a window or activate a CheckButton in a Menu.

7-5
When the user presses [Select] or in a CheckButton, if the CheckButton was previously unset, it is set. If the CheckButton was previously set, it is unset. In both cases, the CheckButton is disarmed, and, if the CheckButton is in a Menu, the Menu is unposted (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

[Select] and activate a CheckButton.

CommandBox

7-6
If your application uses a CommandBox, it is composed of a Text component with a command line prompt for text input and a List component for a command history area. The List uses either the single selection or browse selection model (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

This specification ensures the consistent appearance and operation of a CommandBox across applications.

7-7
When an element of a CommandBox List is selected, its contents are placed in the Text area (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

This specification provides a convenient way of selecting a previously entered command.

7-8
The List navigation actions , , , and are available from the Text component for moving the cursored element within the List and thus changing the contents of the Text (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These actions provide a convenient way to choose a command from the List while focus remains in the Text component.

7-9
The default action of the CommandBox passes the command in the Text area to the application for execution and adds the command to the end of the List (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

Maintaining a history of commands provides a convenient means of entering often-used commands.

FileSelectionBox

7-10
If your application uses a FileSelectionBox, it is composed of at least the following components (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages):

This specification ensures the uniform appearance of a FileSelectionBox across applications.

7-11
Your application allows the user to select a new directory to examine by scrolling through the List of directories and selecting the desired directory or by editing the directory mask. Selecting a new directory from the directory List does not change the search pattern (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

The method for selecting a new directory to examine needs to be consistent across applications.

7-12
Your application allows the user to select a new search pattern by editing the directory mask (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

The method for specifying a new search pattern needs to be uniform across applications.

7-13
The List navigation actions , , , and are available from the Text components for moving the cursored element within each List and thus changing the contents of the Text. The contents of the directory Text correspond to the contents of the directory List, and the contents of the filename Text correspond to the contents of the filename List (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These actions provide a convenient way to choose a directory or filename from the corresponding List while focus remains in the Text component.

7-14
The FileSelectionBox initiates a directory and file search when any of the following occurs (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages):

The method for initiating a search needs to be uniform across applications.

7-15
Your application allows the user to select a file by scrolling through the List of filenames and selecting the desired file or by entering the filename directly into the file selection Text component. Selecting a file from the List causes that filename to appear in the file selection Text area (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

The method for selecting a file needs to be consistent across applications.

7-16
Your application allows the user to select a new file as many times as desired. Your application does not make use of the selection until one of the following occurs (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages):

This specification results in the uniform operation of a FileSelectionBox across applications.

7-17
The FileSelectionBox initiates a directory and file search when the FileSelectionBox is initialized, the user activates the Filter PushButton, the user double-clicks BSelect or presses [Enter] or on an item in the directory List, or the user presses [Enter] or while the directory mask Text edit area has the keyboard focus (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

This specification ensures the consistent operation of a directory and file search in a FileSelectionBox.

List

7-18
Within a List component, your application uses to move the location cursor to the previous item in the List and to move the location cursor to the next item in the List. In a scrollable List, scrolls the List one character to the left, and scrolls the List one character to the right (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

The arrow keys provide a consistent means of moving the location cursor within a List component.

7-19
Within a List component, your application uses to move the location cursor to the first item in the List and to move the location cursor to the last item in the List. In a scrollable List, moves the horizontal scroll region so that the leftmost edge of the List is visible, and moves the horizontal scroll region so that the rightmost edge of the List is visible (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These keys offer a convenient mechanism for moving the location cursor quickly through a List.

7-20
Within a scrollable List, moves the location cursor to the item one page up in the List, and moves the location cursor to the item one page down in the List. In a scrollable list, [PageLeft] or scrolls the List one page to the left, and [PageRight] or scrolls the List one page to the right (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These keys offer a convenient mechanism for paging through a List.

7-21
Within a List component, your application uses BSelect Click 2 to select the item that was double-clicked and then initiate any default action for the window (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

Double-clicking using BSelect provides a consistent way of activating the default action for a List.

OptionButton

7-22
If your application uses OptionButtons, the Label for the button is the last selection made from the OptionButton (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

An OptionButton is used to post an Option Menu which allows the user to select from a number of choices. The Label of an OptionButton needs to display the most recent selection from the associated Option Menu.

7-23
When the user presses BSelect in an OptionButton, the associated Option Menu is posted (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Press is a consistent way of activating an OptionButton.

7-24
When the user releases BSelect within the same OptionButton that the press occurred in, the associated Option Menu is posted if it was not posted at the time of the press. When the user releases BSelect outside of the OptionButton, the associated Option Menu is unposted (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Release posts or unposts an Option Menu, depending on whether the release occurs inside the OptionButton and whether the Option Menu was posted at the time of the press.

7-25
When the user presses [Select] or in an OptionButton, the associated Option Menu is posted (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

[Select] or posts an Option Menu from the keyboard.

PanedWindow

7-26
If your application uses PanedWindows, they are composed of any number of groups of components, called Panes, each separated by a Sash and a Separator. The Panes, Sashes, and Separators are grouped linearly, either horizontally or vertically. A Sash is the handle on a Separator between two Panes that is used to adjust the position of the Separator (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

This specification ensures the consistent appearance of a PanedWindow across applications.

Panel

7-27
The , , , and directional keys navigate among components in a Panel (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

A Panel group organizes a collection of basic controls in a horizontal, vertical, or 2-dimensional layout. The directional keys are used to navigate among the controls.

PushButton

7-28
When the user presses BSelect in a PushButton, the PushButton is armed. When the user releases BSelect in the same PushButton that the press occurred in, the PushButton is disarmed and activated. When the user releases BSelect outside the PushButton, the PushButton is disarmed but not activated (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect provides a consistent means of activating a PushButton.

7-29
When the user presses [Enter] or in a PushButton that is in a window with a default action, the PushButton is activated. When the user presses [Enter] or in a PushButton in a Menu, the PushButton is activated and the Menu is unposted (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

[Enter] and activate a DialogBox or a PushButton in a Menu.

7-30
When the user presses [Select] or in a PushButton, the PushButton is activated. If the PushButton is in a Menu, the Menu is unposted (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

[Select] and activate a PushButton.

RadioButton

7-31
If your application uses RadioButtons, each button graphically indicates its state (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

RadioButtons are used to represent a panel of mutually exclusive selections. The user needs to know which button in the panel is set.

7-32
When the user presses BSelect in a RadioButton, the RadioButton is armed. If the RadioButton was previously unset, it is shown in the set state (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Press arms a RadioButton and shows the result of activating it by releasing BSelect.

7-33
When the user releases BSelect in the same RadioButton that the press occurred in and the RadioButton was previously unset, it is set, and any other RadioButton in the same Panel that was previously set is unset. The RadioButton is disarmed, and, if the RadioButton is in a Menu, the Menu is unposted (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Release activates a RadioButton.

7-34
When the user presses [Enter] or in a RadioButton, if the RadioButton is in a window with a default action, the default action is activated. If the RadioButton is in a Menu (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages):

[Enter] and perform the default action of a window or activate a RadioButton in a Menu.

7-35
When the user presses [Select] or in a RadioButton, if the RadioButton was previously unset, it is set, and any other RadioButton in the same Panel that was previously set is unset. The RadioButton is disarmed, and, if the RadioButton is in a Menu, the Menu is unposted (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

[Select] and activate a RadioButton.

Sash

7-36
Within a PanedWindow, your application uses a Sash to adjust the position of a Separator, which adjusts the sizes of the Panes next to it. As a Sash is moved, the Pane in the direction of the Sash movement gets smaller and the opposite Pane gets larger by an equal amount (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

This specification results in the uniform operation of a PanedWindow across applications.

7-37
Within a Sash, BSelect Motion or BTransfer Motion causes the Sash to track the movement of the pointer. In a vertically oriented PanedWindow, the Sash tracks the vertical position of the pointer. In a horizontally oriented PanedWindow, the Pane tracks the horizontal position of the pointer (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect, the first mouse button, and BTransfer, the second mouse button, provide a consistent means of moving a Sash in a PanedWindow using the mouse.

7-38
and (for a Sash that can move vertically) and and (for a Sash that can move horizontally) move the Sash one increment in the specified direction (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

The arrow keys offer a uniform means of moving a Sash in a PanedWindow.

7-39
and (for a Sash that can move vertically) and and (for a Sash that can move horizontally) move the Sash one large increment in the specified direction (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These keys provide a convenient way of moving a Sash quickly in a PanedWindow.

Scale

7-40
If a Scale has arrow buttons, your application uses BSelect Press in an arrow button to move the slider one increment in the direction of the side of the slider on which the button was pressed and autorepeats until the button is released (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Press provides a consistent means of adjusting a Scale component using the mouse.

7-41
In a Scale trough, if the Scale has tick marks, BSelect Press moves the slider one major tick mark in the direction of the side of the slider on which the trough was pressed and autorepeats until the button is released. If the Scale does not have tick marks, BSelect Press in the trough moves the slider one large increment in the direction of the side of the slider on which the trough was pressed and autorepeats until the button is released (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Press provides a consistent means of adjusting a Scale component using the mouse.

7-42
Within a Scale slider, BSelect Motion causes the slider to track the position of the pointer. In a vertical Scale, the slider tracks the vertical position of the pointer. In a horizontal Scale, the slider tracks the horizontal position of the pointer (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Motion offers a convenient way to adjust a Scale component precisely using the mouse.

7-43
Within a Scale slider or trough, BTransfer Motion positions the slider to the point of the button press and then causes the slider to track the position of the pointer. In a vertical Scale, the slider tracks the vertical position of the pointer. In a horizontal Scale, the slider tracks the horizontal position of the pointer (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BTransfer Motion provides another convenient way to adjust a Scale component precisely using the mouse.

7-44
If a mouse based sliding action is in progress, cancels the sliding action and returns the slider to its position prior to the start of the sliding operation (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

provides a consistent way for the user to cancel a mouse-based sliding action.

7-45
In a vertical Scale, and move the slider one increment in the specified direction. In a horizontal Scale, and move the slider one increment in the specified direction (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

The arrow keys provide a uniform way of adjusting the slider in a Scale component using the keyboard.

7-46
In a vertical Scale, and move the slider one large increment in the specified direction. In a horizontal Scale, and move the slider one large increment in the specified direction (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These keys provide a convenient way of adjusting the slider in a Scale component quickly using the keyboard.

7-47
Your application uses or to move the slider to its minimum value. or moves the slider to its maximum value (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These keys provide a convenient mechanism for setting a Scale to its minimum or maximum value using the keyboard.

ScrollBar

7-48
Within a ScrollBar, your application uses BSelect Press in an arrow button to move the slider one increment in the direction of the side of the slider on which the button was pressed and autorepeats until the button is released (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Press provides a consistent means of adjusting a ScrollBar using the mouse.

7-49
In the trough of a ScrollBar, BSelect Press moves the slider one page in the direction of the side of the slider on which the trough was pressed and autorepeats until the button is released (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Press provides a consistent means of adjusting a ScrollBar using the mouse.

7-50
Within a ScrollBar slider, BSelect Motion causes the slider to track the position of the pointer. In a vertical ScrollBar, the slider tracks the vertical position of the pointer. In a horizontal ScrollBar, the slider tracks the horizontal position of the pointer (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BSelect Motion offers a convenient way to adjust a ScrollBar precisely using the mouse.

7-51
Within a ScrollBar slider or trough, BTransfer Motion positions the slider to the point of the button press and then causes the slider to track the position of the pointer. In a vertical ScrollBar, the slider tracks the vertical position of the pointer. In a horizontal ScrollBar, the slider tracks the horizontal position of the pointer (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

BTransfer Motion offers another convenient way to adjust a ScrollBar precisely using the mouse.

7-52
If a mouse based scrolling action is in progress, cancels the scrolling action and returns the slider to its position prior to the start of the scrolling operation (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

provides a consistent way for the user to cancel a mouse-based scrolling action.

7-53
In a vertical ScrollBar, and move the slider one increment in the specified direction. In a horizontal ScrollBar, and move the slider one increment in the specified direction (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

The arrow keys provide a uniform means of adjusting a ScrollBar using the keyboard.

7-54
In a vertical ScrollBar, and move the slider one large increment in the specified direction. and move the slider one large increment in the specified direction (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These keys provide a convenient way of adjusting a ScrollBar quickly using the keyboard.

7-55
Your application uses and to move the slider in a vertical ScrollBar one page in the specified direction. [PageLeft] or and [PageRight] or move the slider in a horizontal ScrollBar one page in the specified direction (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These keys allow for the convenient movement of the slider in a ScrollBar using the keyboard.

7-56
Your application uses or to move the slider to the minimum value. or moves the slider to the maximum value (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These keys offer a convenient mechanism for setting a ScrollBar to its minimum or maximum value using the keyboard.

SelectionBox

7-57
If your application uses a SelectionBox, it is composed of at least a Text component for the selected alternative and a List component above the Text component for presenting alternatives. The List uses either the single selection or browse selection model. Selecting an element from the List places the selected element in the Text component (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

This specification ensures the consistent appearance and operation of a SelectionBox across applications.

7-58
The List navigation actions , , , and are available from the Text component for moving the cursored element within the List and thus changing the contents of the Text (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These actions provide a convenient way to choose an element from the List while focus remains in the Text component.

Text

7-59
In a multiline Text component, moves the location cursor up one line, and moves the location cursor down one line. In a single-line Text component, navigates upward to the previous component, and navigates downward to the next component, if the Text component is designed to act like a basic control (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

The up and down arrow keys provide a uniform means of navigation within Text components.

7-60
moves the location cursor left one character, and moves the location cursor right one character (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

The left and right arrow keys offer a consistent way of navigating within Text components.

7-61
In a Text component used generally to hold multiple words, moves the location cursor to the right by a word, and moves the location cursor to the left by a word (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

and provide a uniform way of navigating by words in a Text component. Moving right by a word means that the location cursor is placed before the first character that is not a space, tab, or newline character after the next space, tab, or newline. Moving left by a word means that the location cursor is placed after the first space, tab, or newline character preceding the first previous character that is not a space, tab, or newline.

7-62
In a Text component used generally to hold multiple words, moves the location cursor to the beginning of the line, and moves the location cursor to the end of the line (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These keys allow the user to move quickly to the beginning or end of a line of text in a Text component.

7-63
In a multiline Text component, moves the location cursor to the beginning of the file, and moves the location cursor to the end of the file (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These keys permit the user to move quickly to the beginning or end of a file in a Text component.

7-64
Your application uses or to insert a space in a Text component. Modifying these with invokes the normal selection function (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

This specification ensures that selection is available from the keyboard in a Text component.

7-65
in a multiline Text component inserts a carriage return. [Enter] or invokes the default action (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

This specification ensures that activation is available from the keyboard in a Text component.

7-66
In a multiline Text component, is used for tabbing. In a single-line Text component, is used either for tabbing or to move to the next field (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

is used for tabbing in multiline Text.

7-67
If a Text component supports replace mode, toggles between insert mode and replace mode.

By default, the component starts in insert mode, where the location cursor is between two characters. In insert mode, typing a character inserts the character at the position of the location cursor.

In replace mode, the location cursor is on a character. Typing a character replaces the current character with that newly entered character and moves the location cursor to the next character, selecting it (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

These rules ensure the uniform operation of a Text component with a replace mode.

7-68
Your application uses BSelect Click 2 to select text a word at a time (Controls, Groups, and Models Reference Pages).

Double clicking with the first mouse button provides a convenient mechanism for selecting words in a Text component.