Developer Documentation Conventions

This manual uses specific text conventions and terminology.

Text Conventions

Lawson manuals use the following standard text conventions.

This Represents
bold

A key name or a function key name. For example, Shift is a key name and Help (F1) is a function key name.

A value or command that you must type exactly as it appears.

A program name or a file name.

italics

A manual title or form name.

An emphasized word or phrase.

A placeholder for a user-defined value or variable. Follow the capitalization pattern of the placeholder. For example, "Type $LAWDIR/print/username/jobname/stepnumber/formID.prt instructs you to type the user name, job name, step number, and form ID as follows: $LAWDIR/print/jane/emplist/1/GL100.prt

(F1)–(F24) A function key number. "Press Help (F1)" " the key mapped for the (F1) function.
Key1+Key2 A key combination. "Press Shift+FndNxt (F3)" " and hold down the Shift key and then press the FndNxt (F3) function key. Release both keys to complete the action.
[ ]

Optional parameters. You can type none, one, or more of the parameters within the brackets. For example, the command

qsubmit [-Un] [-j JobQueue -d Date - t Time] username jobname

means that you can type a specific job queue, date, or time, or you can omit these parameters.

[ | ]

Optional parameters. You can type only one of the parameters separated by a vertical line. For example, the command

phraserpt[-n|t] BaseLanguage [Translation]

means that you can type either the n or t parameter; you cannot type both.

...

A parameter that can be repeated. For example, the command

scrgen [-scxvV] productline [systemcode [programcode...]]

means that you can type any number of program codes.

Terminology

Oracle and IBM DB2 use the terms table, row, and column, whereas Lawson uses the terms file, record, and field, respectively. Although this manual uses the Oracle and IBM DB2 terms, other Lawson manuals use the terms file, record, and field.

The following terms have precise meanings in Lawson documentation.

Term Meaning
access Open a Lawson application form or subform.
choose

Start a process.

"Choose Add" instructs you to click a button or a link on a form to add a record to the Lawson system.

click

Place the cursor over an object (such as a button, link, or tab) and press the left mouse button.

Note: This description applies to a standard PC mouse with standard settings. You must translate the meaning of "click" to what is appropriate for your equipment.
define

Use a Lawson form to create a new record for a company, a vendor, a class, a code, or another entity used throughout the Lawson system.

- or -

Specify configuration parameters, printers, security roles, data areas, and so on.

run Send data for processing. For example, run a report or batch job.
select

Identify an item to process. Selecting an item does not start a process.

To select an item, place the cursor over an item and then click.

If you use character-based mode, highlight an item to select it. Sometimes, you must also press Mark or Next or choose OK.

type

Press keyboard keys to enter information in a field, then move the cursor to the next field.

At a command line, type the letters exactly as written in the procedure, then choose OK.

OK

Choose OK to save or process the data that you entered on the current form.

  • "Choose OK" instructs you to click a button or a link on a form. An "OK" button might be labeled "Update" or show a check mark. An "OK" link might be labeled "OK.""Choose OK" " the keyboard key mapped as Enter .