Glossary

input

Input is the information gathered during data collection or the action of

 

gathering the information.

Input node

An Input node designates what type of portable input is acceptable

 

and where the input is stored.

jointed Link

A jointed Link is a Link that has two or more segments intersecting at

 

an angle/

Link

A Link connects two frames or nodes with an arrow directing the pro-

 

gram to the next step. A Link pointing to a frame or node shows how it

 

is accessed. A Link pointing away from a frame or node shows where

 

the program goes next.

Math node

A Math node performs mathematical operations on given data.

Menu node

A Menu node presents a menu of options on the portable’s screen

 

and specifies what actions will occur when the user presses function

 

keys associated with those options.

Modify node

A Modify node changes given data.

node

A node is a shape in a program flow chart that represents one step in

 

the program. There are different types of nodes for each kind of action

 

that can be performed by the program. Detailed instructions for the

 

action are specified by settings in a dialog box associated with the

 

node. A connected set of nodes makes up one frame or subroutine. of

 

a program flow chart.

Operation Nodes Menu, Display, Input, Output, Verify, Copy, Modify, Math, and Call nodes are types of Operation Nodes. Refer to Function Nodes for Frames and Subroutines.

object

An object is the generic term for a frame, node, or Link.

Output node

An Output node is used to transfer data to a portable’s display or to

 

the host computer.

portable file

Data that has been either input via a portable’s scanner or data keys

 

or downloaded from a PC file through the serial port is saved in a por-

 

table file. Each entry in the portable file is called a record, and the

 

records in each portable file are numbered, starting with 1 for the first

 

record.

program source

Program flow charts created with PPG are stored in DOS data files

file

called program source files. A program source file must be compiled

 

(using PPGComp) before it can be loaded into a portable.

record

A record is a set of related data fields stored as a single line in a file.

180

PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0