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Command Line Input

Command Line Input takes the form of responses having a regular form, commencing with a Verb which may have several associated Parameters and optional Qualifiers. The VAX/VMS User Interface (DCL) is an example of Command Line Input. UIPACK allows an Application Programmer to create a Command Line User Interface by defining the valid Verbs and their Qualifiers. Verbs may be logically grouped together such that not all Verbs are simultaneously valid and a heirarchical system may be achieved. The Subprograms used within the Prompted Input Interface may also be used to pickup required Parameters associated with each Verb. UIPACK aids the User of such a Program by providing a ``Help" facility whereby the set of valid Verbs and a description of each of them may be displayed. Experienced Users may type-ahead in a similar fashion to Prompted Input Mode, thereby bypassing any prompting. Command Line Input is discussed in detail in Chapter 5.


Liz Buckle
Fri Jan 13 17:40:55 CST 1995