IBM Version 4 manual User Interface APIs, Process-Related APIs, UIM Advantages, Uim

Process-Related APIs

The process-related APIs perform process-related or other general ope Using these APIs, a process can get the process ID of itself, it the process group. A process can also check the status for itself, cesses, or the process group.

For information on APIs to create processespawn()for andexample,spawnp() ), see theSystem API Referencebook.

User Interface APIs

The

user

interface

manager

(UIM)

APIs are

a

set of programs

that

the

ability

to

use

panel

groups

and

create

applications that

functio

way. This

means

using

the same standards for function key descriptions

forth, as the

system

panels.

The

UIM

APIs

are used in combination with variables, lists, and pane

a panel

group

object.

When

you

design

an

application

program

that manipulates the user inter

can

use

all

UIM

panel

groups,

data description

specifications

(DDS)

with UIM help, or DDS display files with help in folders. The followi advantages of using UIM versus DDS.

UIM Advantages

The advantages of using UIM over DDS follow:

ŸUses the same standards as the AS/400

There is		no need to redefine		standards because the applications
the	same	way	as the system panels. UIM formats the panel for y
what	you	want	displayed.
Ÿ Processes		more	efficiently from	a list panel

–

UIM has the ability to process

commands from a

list

panel. The

need

to

call

a program

to issue

the

command.

–

UIM

has

the

ability to

prompt in

the

same manner

as

the

AS/400

–

You can specify a program for UIM to call after the option

–

Confirmation

panels are built into the

system.

–

UIM

provides

more efficient list

entry

access

and

update

pro

ŸWorks better with languages that efficiently process structures

Each type of UIM exit program requires a different set of pa making it difficult to have one program that processes all the ex tions.

ŸProvides for more modular programming techniques

One	program can	process	all incomplete list exit program calls, one
all	applications,	and so	forth.

Ÿ Has the ability to condition menu options

ŸFormats and handles scrolling of large areas with no user program i Examples are data, list, information, menu, and function key areas.

Chapter 8. Use of OS/400 8APIs-27