Form Definition Library

Using the form definition file, the form compiler generates a form definition (SD) library for online and batch programs. When you compile an application program, the precompiler copies the SD library for the program into the program shell.

The form compiler generates the SD library with the file name format

$LAWDIR/productline/sdlib/ProgramCodeSD

$LAWDIR is the directory where your application objects are stored. For example, GL01 is a program in the lawapp9 product line. The $LAWDIR directory is baseDirectory/law. The name for the GL01 form definition file is

baseDirectory/law/lawapp9/sdlib/GL01SD

The SD library includes a COBOL entry for each data field on the form. Each input field also has a field number (-FN) entry. The program uses the -FN entry to move the cursor to the field on an error.

The SD library for batch programs is similar; however, fields are prefixed with PRM- (that is derived from its PaRaMeter form) instead of the formatted form name.

For more information on displaying a message on the form, see Displaying Messages.