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THE KEYBOARD
This section describes the purpose of each of the major function keys within Oracle Forms applications such as ProcessDB. To display the keyboard mapping of the function keys, click on Help on the top menu of any screen and then select Keys.
Database Operation Keys
[Accept/Save] This function key makes new information entered, or changes made to the existing information, permanent in the database. This function is also called "commit". This key should be pressed each time after a new record is entered, or after changes are made to an existing record. This will serve to store the image of the data that is on the user's screen to the database. If data that has been entered is typed over or erased before [Save] is pressed, it will be lost. It is not necessary to re-commit data that has been queried but not changed.
[Clear Block] Clears the current block for the user to enter new information. If there are uncommitted changes or entries, the user will be asked if a commit is desired when this key is pressed. Remember, all of the data in the current block will be cleared from the screen when this key is pressed.
[Clear Field] Clears the field that the cursor is currently within. This allows new information to be entered.
[Clear Form/Rollback] Clears all retrieved data from the entire page and waits for user input. If there are changes or new entries that have not been committed, the user will be asked if a [Save] is desired.
[Clear Record] Clears the record the cursor is on from the screen. This will not remove the permanent record from the database.
[Count Query Hits] Clears the current block and displays on the message line the number of rows that a query would retrieve if executed. Typically used after a query criterion is entered.
[Delete Record] Removes the record identified by the cursor from the screen as well as the database. The permanent removal from the database will occur when the [Save] key is pressed. This is the only way that permanent records can be removed from the database.
[Display Error] Displays error information and/or advanced help information, if available for the field where the last error occurred.
[Duplicate Field] Copies the field value from the same field of the previous record into the current field. Used with the [Insert Record] key.
[Duplicate Record] Copies all field values from the previous record into a new record.
[Enter Query] This key initiates a qualified query. A qualified query is defined as a query that has conditions (e.g., a query that will return only a subset of all of the related records from the database). A qualified query is accomplished by entering values in those fields on the screen desired in order to filter the query results. For example, on a screen which displays information about a model, to return a particular model, enter the model name in the model name field after pressing the [Enter Query] key, and execute the query by then pressing the [Execute Query] key. This will pull the information pertaining to that model onto the screen. Note that most of the screens in ProcessDB will be in enter query mode when the user chooses that screen from the main menu. This eliminates the need to press [Enter Query]. Entry of the query qualifier information followed by the [Execute Query] key will suffice.
[Execute Query] When used after the [Enter Query] key, this key will execute the query with the search conditions specified. When used alone, this key will return all records relevant to the current screen. Be careful when using the [Execute Query] key without the condition or qualification. This may query a great deal of data that may be time-consuming to both retrieve and display.
[Exit/Cancel] This key will exit from the current block or form, and return the user to the previous block, form, or menu. If there are any pending changes to the data, the user will be asked if a [Save] is desired.
[Help] This function key will display some information about the field at which the cursor is currently positioned. This information will include the size and format of the current field, as well as the internal name of this field in the database.
[Insert Record] This key will create a blank record on the screen for entry. If the screen is already blank, it is not necessary to use this key to enter a new record. Can be used with the [Duplicate Record] key to copy forward the previous record.
[List of Values] This key will cause a list of valid field values to appear for reference and/or selection. Fields where this function is active are identified by the note that is displayed on the status line at the bottom of the screen when the cursor rests on these fields. The user may use a list of values to view current valid values, and to enter a value from this list into the field to which the list corresponds. To enter a value into the field, move the cursor down to the item displayed in the list of values list area that are to be used, and press . This populates the field with that selected value. The search field, or Find field, allows the user to search long lists for a value. To do so, place the cursor in the Find field, and then narrow the list by one of the following methods:
- Entry of one or more characters that represent the charager(s) that should begin the entries in the list. For example, enter "L" to query all of the entries beginning with the letter "L".
- Entry of the '%" character, preceded by a string returns only those entries that begin with that character string.
- Entry of the '%" character, followed by a string returns only those entries that end with that character string.
- Entry of a character string with a "%' at both the beginning and the end returns those entries with that character string somewhere in the value.
[Next Block], [Previous Block] Next block advances the cursor one block, while previous block retreats one block in the sequence.
[Next Record], [Previous Record] These keys correspond to the up and down arrow keys. They are used to navigate between records in a screen. Where a query has returned more than one record, these keys will be used to navigate between records. No data is lost when moving between records using these keys.
[Scroll Up], [Scroll Down] These keys are used for scrolling up and down in a multi-record block. If 15 records are displayed, these keys will move up or down 12 records at a time. This allows data not previously present on the screen to be viewed or updated.
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