PROCFORM: universal procedure file generator

Description

Creates a Procedure language file interactively by capturing GETPARM information from screen dumps while a program is run interactively.

Categories

Program Development

Related files

PROCFORM: Object file for program.

EDITOR: The Wang EDITOR can be called to edit the procedure generated by PROCFORM.

User Instructions

The PROCFORM utility creates procedure files from any program by capturing the GETPARM information contained in screen dumps. The user simply runs the program to be automated, creating screen dumps at every GETPARM, then edits the procedure source based on that information.

After entering the name and location of the procedure to be generated, the user selects the processing option. Valid options are: run a program; enter special procedure items (SET, MOUNT, SCRATCH, etc.); enter a statement manually; edit the procedure; display the source file; or exit the program. These options work as follows:

(RETURN): RUN option. Enter the name and location of the file and press (RETURN) to run. The program is run immediately, behaving exactly as if run normally. Each screen should be filled out as closely as possible to the final procedure, then a screen dump taken (HELP + PF(14)). At the conclusion of the program run, the information from each PRNAME is displayed and can be edited.

PF(02): SPECIAL menu. Shows menu of 13 general procedure options, each of which can be defined and entered into the output procedure.

PF(03): Input RUN statement. If desired, a RUN statement may be manually entered.

PF(04): EDIT. The Wang EDITOR is run to revise the procedure.

PF(15): SHOW PROCEDURE SOURCE. Shows the progress of the procedure file under construction.

Many new procedure features--including variables, record count extractions, screen I/O, etc.--are not available and must be manually entered.

Programmer Instructions

PROCFORM is primarily interactive, but the name and location of the procedure to be generated can be controlled with the NEWPROC screen, which is displayed with every PROCFORM run..

Example of use

Perfect for use in recording keystrokes when using complicated utilities such as CREATE, where small mistakes are easily made.

Comments

For another procedure generator approach, see PROCGEN.