Programming Guide

sm_*window

Opens a window at a given position 

int sm_d_window(char *address, int start_line, int start_column);
int sm_d_at_cur(char *address);
 
int sm_l_window(int lib_desc, char *name, int start_line, int start_column);
 
int sm_l_at_cur(int lib_desc, char *name);
 
int sm_r_window(char *name, int start_line, int start_column);
 
int sm_r_at_cur(char *name);

address
The address of the screen in memory

lib_desc
Specifies the library in which the window is stored, where lib_desc is an integer library descriptor returned by sm_l_open. You must call sm_l_open before you read any screens from a library.

name
The name of the window.

start_line, start_column
Specifies the window's top left corner, where start_line and start_column are zero-based offsets from the physical display's top left corner. Thus, setting start_line to 1 starts the window at the screen's second line. If the window does not fit on the display at the specified location, Panther adjusts it as needed.

A negative value for start_line specifies to clear the current screen before displaying the window. The screen's contents are discarded and cannot be restored.

Environment

C only

Returns

Description

Use sm_d_window, sm_l_window, or sm_r_window to display a screen as a stacked window at the specified line and column. Use sm_d_at_cur, sm_l_at_cur, or sm_r_at_cur to display the window at the default position for that platform:

The area of the display that surrounds the window remains visible. However, only the opened window is active, and only its fields are accessible to input and library functions. To change the active window, use sm_wselect.

To display a form use sm_r_form or one of its variants. Use sm_close_window to close the window.

Search Path

When you use sm_r_window, Panther looks for the named screen in the following places in this order:

  1. The application's memory-resident list; if found, sm_d_window is called to display the screen.
  2. All open libraries; if found, sm_l_window is called to display the screen.

If the search fails and the supplied file name has no extension, Panther appends the SMFEXTENSION-specified extension to the file name and repeats the search. If all searches fail, sm_r_window displays an error message and returns.

Memory-resident Screens

You can save processing time by using sm_d_window and sm_d_at_cur to display screens that are memory-resident. Use bin2c to convert screens from disk files to program data structures that you can compile into your application.

A memory-resident screen never changes at runtime and therefore can be made sharable on systems let you share read-only data. sm_r_window and sm_r_at_cur can also display memory-resident screens if they are properly installed with sm_formlist. Memory-resident screens are especially useful in applications with a limited number of screens, or in environments with a slow disk.

Screens Stored in Libraries

You can also save processing time with sm_l_window and sm_l_at_cur to display screens from a library. A library is a single file that stores screens, JPL modules, and menus. You can assemble a library from individual screen files with formlib. Libraries let you distribute a large number of screens with an application, and can improve efficiency by reducing the number of search paths.

Example

/* Bring up a window from a library. */
	 int ld;
	 
	if ((ld = sm_l_open ("myforms")) < 0)
	   sm_cancel ();
	...
	sm_l_window (ld, "popup", 5, 22);
	...
	sm_l_close (ld);

See Also

sm_close_window, sm_form, sm_jwindow