careful choices for window handles, extension, lables, flags

[jarychk]

Subject of topic may need to be changed or adjusted.

Programmers learning to use Just BASIC, when creating a program with a top window (first one that appears upon opening the program) which opens one or more lower level windows, should choose their window handles, control-extensions, labels of controls, and flag variables, very carefully. This will help when reading through the code while building the program.

Imagine a user closes an upper level window without closing a lower level window which that upper level window can open.

I must share this demonstration example:


'handlelabelflag   july 9 2024
'relearn better to work with levels fo window opening and closing
'and selection to better identify levels of label of controls
'and of window handles


'FLAG VARIABLES FOR WINDOW CONTROL
flag2a=0
flag2b=0


   nomainwin

   WindowWidth = 360
   WindowHeight = 330

   UpperLeftX=int((DisplayWidth-WindowWidth)/2)
   UpperLeftY=int((DisplayHeight-WindowHeight)/2)

   button #top.buttonLev2a, "take me down one", [buttonLev2a], UL, 46, 71, 216, 30
   button #top.buttonLev2b, "Or take me down one, too", [buttonLev2b], UL, 46, 151, 216, 35
   open "level top" for window as #top
   print #top, "trapclose [quit.top]"

   print #top, "font ms_sans_serif 10"

   wait

[quit.top]
'be ssure to close any "level middle" windows before trying
'to close top window.
       if flag2a=1 then close #middle
       if flag2b=1 then close #middle2b
       'and not necessary to reset those flag variables here
   Close #top
   END


[buttonLev2a]    'Perform action for the button named 'buttonLev2a'
   'Insert your own code here

if flag2a=1 then wait

   nomainwin

   WindowWidth = 550
   WindowHeight = 410

   UpperLeftX=int((DisplayWidth-WindowWidth)/2)
   UpperLeftY=int((DisplayHeight-WindowHeight)/2)

   statictext #middle.middle2a, "level middle, 2a", 198, 151, 144, 20
   open "middle level" for window as #middle
   print #middle, "trapclose [quit.middle]"

   print #middle, "font ms_sans_serif 10"

   flag2a=1

   wait

[quit.middle]
   Close #middle
   flag2a=0
   'END

   wait


[buttonLev2b]    'Perform action for the button named 'buttonLev2b'
   'Insert your own code here

if flag2b=1 then wait

   nomainwin

   WindowWidth = 550
   WindowHeight = 410

   UpperLeftX=int((DisplayWidth-WindowWidth)/2)
   UpperLeftY=int((DisplayHeight-WindowHeight)/2)

   statictext #middle2b.mid2b, "middle level, 2b", 190, 151, 144, 20
   open "middle level, but alternative" for window as #middle2b
   print #middle2b, "trapclose [quit.middle2b]"

   print #middle2b, "font ms_sans_serif 10"

   flag2b=1

   wait

[quit.middle2b]
   Close #middle2b
   flag2b=0
   'END

   wait



[jarychk]

To improve the idea, the programmer could create a drawn diagram to see something like a structure, to help decide on the names of window handles, control extensions, branch labels; BEFORE he tries to write any code. When he is building each interface using FreeForm Designer, he can put those pieces of information in, before making the output of the form/code for the interface.

If the reader checks back to the example program in the previous post, may understand that some of the choices of extensions names and label names could have been better.

[gaslouk]

Jul 10, 2024 20:22:04 GMT jarychk said:

To improve the idea, the programmer could create a drawn diagram to see something like a structure, to help decide on the names of window handles, control extensions, branch labels; BEFORE he tries to write any code. When he is building each interface using FreeForm Designer, he can put those pieces of information in, before making the output of the form/code for the interface.

If the reader checks back to the example program in the previous post, may understand that some of the choices of extensions names and label names could have been better.

Hi

To refine the idea, a programmer could create a diagram to see the structure of the program. This will help in choosing names for window handlers, control extensions, and tags before writing any code. When building each interface using FreeForm Designer, it can enter this information, before generating the form/code for the interface.

Let's analyze how to create such a diagram and how to improve the naming of extensions and tags:
1. Window Structure Design

You can use a drawing tool like draw.io or any diagramming tool to create a diagram like the one below:

+------------------+
| Main Window |
| (handle: #top) |
+------------------+
|
|---> Button: buttonLev2a
| Action: Open Window 2a
|
|---> Button: buttonLev2b
Action: Open Window 2b

2. Naming Window Handlers and Control Labels

When designing each window and its controls, consider names that are clear and descriptive. For example:

Main Window: #top
Level 2a Window: #level2a
Level 2b Window: #level2b
Button that opens Window 2a: buttonLev2a
Button that opens Window 2b: buttonLev2b
Label on Window 2a: #level2a.label

3. Building Interfaces with FreeForm Designer

When building the interfaces, you can enter this information in the correct fields before generating the code. This will ensure that labels and operators are consistent and readable.
Example of Improved Code


'handlelabelflag july 9 2024
'relearn better to work with levels of window opening and closing
'and selection to better identify levels of label of controls
'and of window handles

'FLAG VARIABLES FOR WINDOW CONTROL
flag2a=0
flag2b=0

nomainwin

WindowWidth = 360
WindowHeight = 330

UpperLeftX=int((DisplayWidth-WindowWidth)/2)
UpperLeftY=int((DisplayHeight-WindowHeight)/2)

button #top.buttonLev2a, "take me down one", [buttonLev2a], UL, 46, 71, 216, 30
button #top.buttonLev2b, "Or take me down one, too", [buttonLev2b], UL, 46, 151, 216, 35
open "Main Level" for window as #top
print #top, "trapclose [quit.top]"

print #top, "font ms_sans_serif 10"

wait

[quit.top]
be sure to close any "middle level" windows before trying
to close top window.
if flag2a=1 then close #level2a
if flag2b=1 then close #level2b
'and not necessary to reset those flag variables here
Close #top
END

[buttonLev2a] 'Perform action for the button named 'buttonLev2a'
Insert your own code here

if flag2a=1 then wait

nomainwin

WindowWidth = 550
WindowHeight = 410

UpperLeftX=int((DisplayWidth-WindowWidth)/2)
UpperLeftY=int((DisplayHeight-WindowHeight)/2)

statictext #level2a.label, "Level 2a", 198, 151, 144, 20
open "Level 2a" for window as #level2a
print #level2a, "trapclose [quit.level2a]"

print #level2a, "font ms_sans_serif 10"

flag2a=1

wait

[quit.level2a]
Close #level2a
flag2a=0
'END

wait

[buttonLev2b] 'Perform action for the button named 'buttonLev2b'
Insert your own code here

if flag2b=1 then wait

nomainwin

WindowWidth = 550
WindowHeight = 410

UpperLeftX=int((DisplayWidth-WindowWidth)/2)
UpperLeftY=int((DisplayHeight-WindowHeight)/2)

statictext #level2b.label, "Level 2b", 190, 151, 144, 20
open "Level 2b" for window as #level2b
print #level2b, "trapclose [quit.level2b]"

print #level2b, "font ms_sans_serif 10"

flag2b=1

wait

[quit.level2b]
Close #level2b
flag2b=0
'END

wait


With these improvements, the code is cleaner and more organized, making it easier to read and maintain.

Gaslouk.