Creating a Genie Dialog Box

Description

This next example shows how a "genie" dialog can be created.

Below is the script to produce this genie. The script is quite long, but do not let its length intimidate you. It is actually quite simple. One key aspect of the script is the use of functions defined within the script to help make the code more readable. Notice that near the top of the script we execute the command:

vl = local_variables()

This command creates a pointer to all of the local variables in the script. We pass this pointer in to all of the functions that we call in the script. By doing this, the function can see and set local variables in the script.

page = 1
max_pages = 3
'flag controls if you can move off the current genie page.
dim genie_stay as L
genie_stay = .f.
dim error_message as C
'error message if you try to move off the current page when all
'conditions have not been met.
error_message = ""
vl = local_variables()
define_pages(vl)
set_flags(vl)
ui_dlg_box("Genie",<<%dlg%
{startup=init}
{region0}
{region1}
{wrap=20};
This script demonstrates an approach to designing a Genie with Xdialog, using Embedded Dialog boxes.;
{lf};
The text in this region will appear on all Genie pages.;
{lf};
{image=group}
{endregion1}|{sp}|
{frame=1,1}
{region3}
{embedded=60,15genie}
{endregion3};
{region}
{endregion};
{endregion0};
{region}
{justify=right}<15&Cancel> <15<&Previous!previous?flag_previous> <15&Next\>!next?flag_next> <15&Finish?flag_finish>
{endregion}
%dlg%, <<%code%
if a_dlg_button = "finish" then
end if
if a_dlg_button = "init" then
   a_dlg_button = ""
   show_page(vl,1)
end if
if a_dlg_button = "next" then
   a_dlg_button = ""
   page = page + 1
   if page > max_pages then
       page = max_pages
   end if
   show_page(vl,page)
end if
if a_dlg_button = "previous" then
   a_dlg_button = ""
   page = page - 1
   if page < 1 then
       page = 1
   end if
   show_page(vl,page)
end if
%code%)
function show_page as C (vars as P, page as N )
with vars
   if genie_stay = .f. then
       temp_code = eval("page_"+page)
       evaluate_template(temp_code)
       set_flags(vl)
   else
       ui_msg_box("Error",error_message,UI_STOP_SYMBOL)
   end if
end with
end function
function define_pages as C (vars as P)
with vars
page_1 = <<%dlg2%
ui_modeless_dlg_box("genie",<<%dlg%
{cellspillover=on}
{lf};
Welcome to the Xdialog genie.;
{lf};
Press the Next button below to get started.;
%dlg%,<<%code%
1=1
%code%)
%dlg2%
page_2 = <<%dlg2%
ui_modeless_dlg_box("genie",<<%dlg%
{cellspillover=on}
Enter your name:;
{lf};
{lf};
Firstname: | .30fname;
{lf};
Lastname: | .30lname;
%dlg%,<<%code%
1=1
%code%)
%dlg2%
page_3 = <<%dlg2%
ui_modeless_dlg_box("genie",<<%dlg%
{cellspillover=on}
Enter your age:;
{lf};
{lf};
Age: | .30age;
{lf};
%dlg%,<<%code%
1=1
%code%)
%dlg2%
end with
end function
function set_flags as C (vars as P)
with vars
   if page = max_pages
       flag_finish = .t.
       flag_next = .f.
       flag_finish = .t.
       flag_previous = .t.
   else if page = 1 then
       flag_next = .t.
       flag_previous = .f.
       flag_finish = .f.
   else
       flag_next = .t.
       flag_previous = .t.
       flag_finish = .f.
   end if
end with
end function

Limitations

Desktop applications only.