DIALOG

version 2004 (Modified)

DIALOG ({table; }form)

The DIALOG command presents the form form to the user. This command is often used to get information from the user through the use of variables, or to present information to the user, such as options for performing an operation.

It is common to display the form inside a modal window created with the Open window command.

Here is a typical example of a dialog:

Use DIALOG instead of ALERT, CONFIRM, or Request when the information that must be presented or gathered is more complex than those commands can manage.

Note: It is possible to prohibit data entry in fields of dialog boxes (and thus limit data entry to variables only) using an option in the Preferences of 4th Dimension (Compatibility page). This restriction corresponds to the operation of former versions of 4th Dimension.

Unlike ADD RECORD or MODIFY RECORD, DIALOG does not use the current input form. You must specify the form to be used in the form parameter. Also, the default button panel is not used if buttons are omitted. In this case, only the Escape (Windows) or Esc (Mac OS) key lets you exit the form.

The dialog is accepted if the user clicks an Accept button or presses the Enter key (numeric key pad), or if the ACCEPT command is executed.

Keep in mind that validation does not cause saving: if the dialog includes fields, you must explicitly call the SAVE RECORD command to save any data that has been modified.

The dialog is canceled if the user clicks a Cancel button or presses the cancel key combination (Ctrl-Period on Windows, Command-Period on Macintosh), or if the CANCEL command is executed.

After a call to DIALOG, if the dialog is accepted, OK is set to 1; if it is canceled, OK is set to 0.

The following example shows the use of DIALOG to specify search criteria. A custom form containing the variables vName and vState is displayed so the user can enter the search criteria.

   Open window (10;40;370;220)  ` Open a modal window 
   DIALOG([Company];"Search Dialog")  ` Display a custom search dialog 
   CLOSE WINDOW  ` No longer need the modal window 
   If (OK=1)  ` If the dialog is accepted 
      QUERY ([Company];[Company]Name=vName;*) 
      QUERY ([Company];&;[Company]State=vState) 
   End if

ACCEPT, ADD RECORD, CANCEL, Open window.

After a call to DIALOG, if the dialog is accepted, OK is set to 1; if it is canceled, OK is set to 0.