ADSplus supports the creation of character-based online applications for deployment across a wide range of host, midrange and PC platforms. Sophisticated tools enable the creation of the common “CRUD” functionality found in most online business applications.

The transaction and online screen controlled coding that is required for online programs are provided by ADSplus generator tools. The developer can create a display screen without being restricted by the specific screen administration system used on a specific deployment platform.

By using platform neutral commands in your program you can send and receive those masks, check user entries, react on function keys, display screen reports and position your cursor in a portable manner. These logical descriptions and commands are converted into the required technical commands by ADSplus generators.

ADSplus encapsulates all technical aspects of online programming. Generators take care of the entire display control, transaction and workspace handling. Data access is specified on logical level in the exact same way as in batch programs. This clearly defined separation between application-specific coding and the technical code elements enables a simple migration to new platforms by the simple process of regenerating for the new target platform.

The key ADSplus tools for online programming are introduced below:

Delta/OSP – Standard Online Operations

Online programs in particular must be standardized as the user expects the same behavior for the similar tasks. With the Delta/OSP generators ADSplus offers a set of tools that cover the common “CRUD” (Create, Report, Update, Delete) requirement found in most online business applications:

• Delta/OSP-Menu – Menu programs
• Delta/OSP-Browse – Browse programs
• Delta/OSP-Update – Update programs
• Delta/OSP-Reference – Reference programs
• Delta/OSP-Data Entry – Mass data entry programs

The programmer calls the required Delta/OSP generator with the required options. On the basis of this information Delta/OSP generates the complete flow of the online program. The programmer only needs to enter the application code – he does not need to be concerned with the program flow or the technical details of the transaction and screen control. Complex online application programs can be quickly and easily created with only a few lines of code.

Delta/Screen – Screen Generator

From the screen designs, Delta/Screen produces the code for the application program to prepare, send, receive, test and save the screen, and the definitions for the transaction monitor. If no TP monitor exists for the selected target platform then Delta/Screen will generate a complete program for screen handling.

Delta/Dialog – Online Operations

If non-standardized operations are to be implemented then the developer creates the dialog using the specific commands of the Delta/Dialog tool. This reduces the screen input and output to six commands – edit, send, receive, test and save screen; issue message; position cursor. The technical handling of the screen is encapsulated in these instructions.