Form Definition Data Base

 css.forms(C)

Name

css.forms

Platforms

Unix, Windows NT

Description   

The file css.forms is a data base describing the CSS forms. This data base is used by all CSS programs and utilities. The forms are defined by giving their size in a set of capabilities and by describing how operations are performed.

Entries in css.forms consist of a number of fields separated by colons ':' (similar to termcap(5)). The first entry for each form gives the CSS form class id (not exceeding 3 characters, starting with a letter) and separated by a vertical bar '|' the form name. The name may include spaces for readability but should not exceed 30 characters. Only the last entry of multiple definitions with the same form class id will become active.

IIn contrast to termcap(5) the definitions in css.forms do not serve as a reference for the CSS programs. Rather they have to be compiled with the aid of the csa(U) administrator utility into an internal, very efficient format. Thus any changes to css.forms become active only after a successful compilation.

Capabilities

Definitions may continue over to multiple lines by giving a backslash '\' as the last character of a line. Empty fields can be included for readability and are most often used between the last field on a line and the first field on the next. Capabilities in css.forms are of three types: Boolean capabilities, which indicate that the form has some particular feature or that a certain mode of operation shall be applied, numeric capabilities giving the size or count of something, and string capabilities (in this release the only string valued entries are the comments).

Types

All capabilities have a two or more letter code. For instance, the fact that a form shall be handled in 'page parity' mode is indicated by the capability pp. Numeric capabilities are followed by the character '=' and then their decimal value.

Finally, string valued capabilities, an '=', and then a string ending at the following ':'.

The fact, that a given form shall only be mounted on one particular device, is specified by the ld capability. A value of zero or a missing ld entry signals, that the form may be mounted on any CSS devices.

The physical page length of a form is defined by the ps parameter. The length is entered in number of lines at 6 lpi (lines per inch).

The physical line length is defined by the ll parameter. The length is entered in number of characters at 10 cpi (characters per inch).

The boolean capability pp (page parity) causes CSS to print each report on that form on an even number of pages by adding an empty page at the end of the printout, if necessary.

To suppress leading empty pages, the ilf capability (ignore leading form feeds) may be used. This allows e.g. Cobol programmers to print all headers (including the first page) with the carriage control AFTER PAGE without generating an empty page and thus to avoid a structure clash in the program flow.

Printing of one or more banner pages is controlled by the bp capability. However, banner pages are generated only, if the device used includes the corresponding entry with the same name. The nbp capability defines the number of banner pages to print. It defaults to one, or - if page parity is set - to two pages.

Files

See also

csa(U), css(P), css.devices, lpr(U)

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