Define a Windows Application Shell

Create a Windows shell for Uniface applications that run on any supported Windows platform.

1. In the U-Bar, click Browse, select prj, then choose the project you want to open.
2. In the Templates tab of the Resource Browser, select the Windows Shell template, then drag and drop onto the project object in the Structure.
3. Right-click the new application shell and click Open to open it in the Application Shell Editor.

   Notice that the Shell Type property is set to APS (Windows).

4. Set the Presentation Properties applicable for your application.
   1. Enter the Title Bar Text to be displayed instead of the technical application name. For example My Application instead of MYAPP.
   2. If you have defined IncludeScripts or global objects, such messages and menus, enter the name of Library where they are located.
   3. If you have defined menus or panels, click the More icon () in the following properties to browse and select the initial application menus and panels.
      • Menu Bar
      • Pop-up Menu
      • Panel
      • Session Panel

      Note:  These properties may be overridden by menus and panels specified in form components.

5. Set the properties applicable for your application window and background color or image.
   1. In Window/App, click the More icon () to open the Define Application Shell Properties dialog.

      The editor displays tabs for Window, Image, and More properties.

   2. In the Window tab, set Window properties, such as the buttons displayed in the title bar.

      Tip: If you define the Title Bar Text ensure the Caption is enabled. Otherwise the text will not be displayed.

   3. In the Image tab, define a background image for your application window, and set its properties.
   4. In the More tab, define your own application properties.

      Click the + icon to insert a property, or - to delete a property.

   5. When you're finished, click OK to save your settings, or Cancel to abandon your changes.
6. In the script editor, write ProcScript to define the application environment and actions required to initialize the application.

   For example, use the apStart trigger to set the language and library, or open a database that requires explicit logon information, and activate the first component.

   Note:  At a minimum, the application shell should activate the default form for the application.

   For more information, see trigger apStart.

7. Optionally, write code in other triggers to respond to user events and messages from other components.
   • trigger receiveMessage
   • trigger menu
   • trigger keyboardSwitch
   • trigger userKey
8. Click Compile to compile the application shell.

Related Topics