DDS for display files


HELP (Help) keyword for display files

Use this file- or record-level keyword to enable the Help key.

Refer to Appendix B, System/36 environment considerations for display files, for special considerations when specifying the HELP keyword in files that are used in the System/36 environment.

The format of the keyword is:

HELP[(response-indicator ['text'])]

If you specify a response indicator, the response indicator is set on and returned to your program. No input data is transmitted from the device. Processing is similar to that of a command attention key.

The optional text is included on the listing created at program compilation time to explain the intended use of the indicator. This text has no function in the file or program other than as a comment. The apostrophes are required. If you specify more than 50 characters between the apostrophes, the text is truncated to 50 characters on the program list.

One of the following actions occurs when the Help key is pressed:

If this keyword is not specified and the Help key is pressed, the OS/400 program issues an error message indicating that the Help key is not valid at that time.

The HLPRTN keyword allows you to use option indicators to select when online help information is displayed, and when control is returned to the program. Refer to HLPRTN (Help Return) keyword for display files for more information.

When a response indicator is specified on the HELP keyword, no H specifications or HLPRCD, HLPPNLGRP, HLPDOC, or HLPRTN keywords can be specified in the file.

HELP (with no response indicator) is required if the file contains H specifications or HLPRCD, HLPPNLGRP, HLPDOC, or HLPRTN keywords.

Option indicators are valid for this keyword.

Example:

The following example shows how to specify the HELP keyword.

|...+....1....+....2....+....3....+....4....+....5....+....6....+....7....+....8
00024A                                      HELP
     A          R RECORD1
     A


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