Actions

While Priority entities are generally accessed from the menus, they may also be activated from within a specific record in a given form. The form’s Actions may include:

• root form - the Action loads the form and its sub-levels;
• report - runs the report, then allows for display, printout, etc.
• procedure - if the procedure includes a program, the program will be run; if it entails processing of a report, the report will be run.

During activation of a program, report or procedure, input is usually based on the content of the form line on which the cursor rests (sometimes user input is also allowed). Upon exiting the entity that was activated, the user returns to his or her original place in the form.

Example: Select Order Confirmation from the list of Actions in the Sales Orders form, and a printout will be created for the sales order on which the cursor rests in the form.

Actions can be executed in the foreground or the background. If they are in the background, the user will be able to continue work in the form while the program/procedure is being executed or while the report is run, processed (where necessary) and printed. If run in the foreground, the user has to wait until the action completes to continue work in the form; and if the current form record (i.e., the line on which the cursor rests) has been updated by running the Action, any new values will automatically be displayed. Use background execution to run large programs and to print out reports. Designate foreground activation when an entity is executed quickly and sends a response to the waiting user.

To create the link between a form and an entity as an Action, retrieve the form from the Form Generator form and specify the entity in the Actions sub-level form. Or enter the generator for the entity (e.g., the Report Generator for a report) and specify the form from which it is accessed in the Menu/Form Links sub-level form.

Note: For more details on actions that generate simple reports, see Running a Report. For more on processed reports and other procedures, see Running a Procedure.