PSC PT Program Generator Operation & User’s Manual

Eugene, Oregon 97402 Telephone: (541) 683-5700 Fax: (541) 345-7140 An Unpublished Work - All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this documentation or the procedures described therein may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of PSC Inc. or its wholly owned subsidiaries ("PSC"). Owners of PSC products are hereby granted a non-exclusive, revocable license to reproduce and transmit this documentation for the purchaser's own internal business pur­ poses. Purchaser shall not remove or alter any proprietary notices, including copyright notices, contained in this documentation and shall ensure that all notices appear on any reproductions of the documentation. Should future revisions of this manual be published, you can acquire printed versions by contacting PSC Customer Administration. Electronic versions may either be downloadable from the PSC web site (www.pscnet.com) or pro­ vided on appropriate media. If you visit our web site and would like to make comments or suggestions about this or other PSC publications, please let us know via the “Contact PSC” page. Disclaimer Reasonable measures have been taken to ensure that the information included in this manual is complete and accurate. However, PSC reserves the right to change any specification at any time without prior notice. PSC is a registered trademark of PSC Inc. The PSC logo is a trademark of PSC. All other trademarks and trade names referred to herein are property of their respective owners. Falcon® is a registered trademark of PSC. Microsoft Windows®, Windows® NT, Windows® ME, Windows® 95, Windows® 98, and Windows® 2000 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. This product may be covered by one or more of the following patents: 4603262 • 4639606 • 4652750 • 4672215 • 4699447 • 4709195 • 4709369 • 4749879 • 4792666 • 4794240 • 4798943 • 4799164 • 4820911 • 4845349 • 4861972 • 4861973 • 4866257 • 4868836 • 4879456 • 4939355 • 4939356 • 4943127 • 4963719 • 4971176 • 4971177 • 4991692 • 5001406 • 5015831 • 5019697 • 5019698 • 5086879 • 5115120 • 5144118 • 5146463 • 5179270 • 5198649 • 5200597 • 5202784 • 5208449 • 5210397 • 5212371 • 5212372 • 5214270 • 5229590 • 5231293 • 5232185 • 5233169 • 5235168 • 5237161 • 5237162 • 5239165 • 5247161 • 5256864 • 5258604 • 5258699 • 5260554 • 5274219 • 5296689 • 5298728 • 5311000 • 5327451 • 5329103 • 5330370 • 5347113 • 5347121 • 5371361 • 5382783 • 5386105 • 5389917 • 5410108 • 5420410 • 5422472 • 5426507 • 5438187 • 5440110 • 5440111 • 5446271 • 5446749 • 5448050 • 5463211 • 5475206 • 5475207 • 5479011 • 5481098 • 5491328 • 5493108 • 5504350 • 5508505 • 5512740 • 5541397 • 5552593 • 5557095 • 5563402 • 5565668 • 5576531 • 5581707 • 5594231 • 5594441 • 5598070 • 5602376 • 5608201 • 5608399 • 5612529 • 5629510 • 5635699 • 5641958 • 5646391 • 5661435 • 5664231 • 5666045 • 5671374 • 5675138 • 5682028 • 5686716 • 5696370 • 5703347 • 5705802 • 5714750 • 5717194 • 5723852 • 5750976 • 5767502 • 5770847 • 5786581 • 5786585 • 5787103 • 5789732 • 5796222 • 5804809 • 5814803 • 5814804 • 5821721 • 5822343 • 5825009 • 5834708 • 5834750 • 5837983 • 5837988 • 5852286 • 5864129 • 5869827 • 5874722 • 5883370 • 5905249 • 5907147 • 5923023 • 5925868 • 5929421 • 5945670 • 5959284 • 5962838 • 5979769 • 6000619 • 6006991 • 6012639 • 6016135 • 6024284 • 6041374 • 6042012 • 6045044 • 6047889 • 6047894 • 6056198 • 6065676 • 6069696 • 6073849 • 6073851 • 6094288 • 6112993 • 6129279 • 6129282 • 6134039 • 6142376 • 6152368 • 6152372 • 6155488 • 6166375 • 6169614 • 6173894 • 6176429 • 6188500 • 6189784 • 6213397 • 6223986 • 6230975 • 6230976 • 6237852 • 6244510 • 6259545 • 6260763 • 6266175 • 6273336 • 6276605 • 6279829 • 6290134 • 6290135 • 6293467 • 6303927 • 6311895 • 6318634 • 6328216 • 6332576 • 6332577 • 6343741 • 6,568,598 • 6,578,765 • AU703547 • D312631 • D313590 • D320011 • D320012 • D323492 • D330707 • D330708 • D349109 • D350127 • D350735 • D351149 • D351150 • D352936 • D352937 • D352938 • D352939 • D358588 • D361565 • D372234 • D374630 • D374869 • D375493 • D376357 • D377345 • D377346 • D377347 • D377348 • D388075 • D446524 • EP0256296 • EP0260155 • EP0260156 • EP0295936 • EP0325469 • EP0349770 • EP0368254 • EP0442215 • EP0498366 • EP0531645 • EP0663643 • EP0698251 • GB2252333 • GB2284086 • GB2301691 • GB2304954 • GB2307093 • GB2308267 • GB2308678 • GB2319103 • GB2333163 • GB2343079 • GB2344486 • GB2345568 • GB2354340 • ISR107546 • ISR118507 • ISR118508 • JP1962823 • JP1971216 • JP2513442 • JP2732459 • JP2829331 • JP2953593 • JP2964278 • MEX185552 • MEX187245 • RE37166 • Other Patents Pending

Introduction........................................................................................... 1 Document Overview......................................................................................................... 1 Style Conventions ........................................................................................................... 2 Manual Formatting Conventions................................................................................... 2 Keyboard Keys.................................................................................................... 2 Keystrokes ......................................................................................................... 2 Windows Controls................................................................................................ 3 Mouse Actions........................................................................................................... 3 Portable Keys............................................................................................................ 3 Getting Started....................................................................................... 5 Overview........................................................................................................................ 5 Before You Start.............................................................................................................. 6 What’s New in PPG v5.0?............................................................................................ 6 PPG License Agreement.............................................................................................. 6 Registering Your Copy of PPG...................................................................................... 6 PPG Installation............................................................................................................... 6 PPG System Requirements.......................................................................................... 6 Required Hardware.............................................................................................. 6 Operating Systems .............................................................................................. 7 Supported Portables................................................................................................... 7 Installing PPG ........................................................................................................... 7 Upgrading to PPG v5.0 ............................................................................................... 8 Uninstalling PPG ........................................................................................................ 8 Launching and Exiting PPG................................................................................................ 8 Launching PPG .......................................................................................................... 8 Exiting PPG............................................................................................................... 9 Overview of PPG.............................................................................................................. 9 PPG Tutorial............................................................................................................ 10 Program Files.......................................................................................................... 10 Executable Programs ......................................................................................... 10 Sample Program Files ........................................................................................ 10

User Interface ......................................................................................................... 11 Menus and Toolbars ........................................................................................... 11 PPG Toolbar Buttons .......................................................................................... 11 Program Nodes Toolbar ...................................................................................... 12 Navigation .............................................................................................................. 13 Working with PPG Windows................................................................................. 13 Generating the Program.................................................................................................. 14 Downloading the Program ......................................................................................... 14 Transferring Data .................................................................................................... 14 PPG Application Design ........................................................................ 15 Overview ...................................................................................................................... 15 Designing the Application................................................................................................ 15 Application Output ................................................................................................... 15 Application Structure................................................................................................ 16 Node Types and the Parent-Child Relationship ................................................................... 17 Creating Function Nodes ........................................................................................... 18 Frames ............................................................................................................ 18 Subroutines ...................................................................................................... 18 Using Your Flow Chart ........................................................................................ 18 Creating Operation Nodes ......................................................................................... 18 Actual vs. Virtual Display .......................................................................................... 19 Defining Program Flow ............................................................................................. 20 Sending and Receiving Files ............................................................................................ 20 Additional Resources ...................................................................................................... 21 The PPG Menubar ................................................................................. 23 Overview ...................................................................................................................... 23 File Menu...................................................................................................................... 23 Creating a New File (Ctrl+N)............................................................................................................... 24 Opening an Existing File (Ctrl+O)....................................................................................................... 25 Closing a File .......................................................................................................... 25 Saving a File (Ctrl+S)........................................................................................................................... 25 Save As.................................................................................................................. 26 Printing a File (Ctrl+P) ......................................................................................................................... 26 Page Setup ............................................................................................................. 27 Download (Ctrl+D)................................................................................................................................ 28 Customize Application (Ctrl+Z)........................................................................................................... 28 Customize Display (Ctrl+Y) ................................................................................................................. 31 Recent Files ............................................................................................................ 33 Exit (Alt+F4)........................................................................................................................................... 34 Edit Menu ..................................................................................................................... 34 Selecting Objects..................................................................................................... 34 Moving Objects........................................................................................................ 35 Moving Links..................................................................................................... 35 Cut (Ctrl+X)............................................................................................................................................ 35 Copy (Ctrl+C)......................................................................................................................................... 35 Paste (Ctrl + V)...................................................................................................................................... 35 Delete (Del)............................................................................................................. 36 Properties............................................................................................................... 36 Function Nodes ................................................................................................. 36 Operation Nodes................................................................................................ 37

Show Calling Function .............................................................................................. 38 Show Frame/Subroutine Nodes.................................................................................. 38 Toolbar .................................................................................................................. 39 PPG ................................................................................................................. 39 Program Nodes ................................................................................................. 39 PPG Explorer........................................................................................................... 40 Status Bar .............................................................................................................. 40 Create Menu ................................................................................................................. 40 Function Nodes ....................................................................................................... 42 Frame (Ctrl+Alt+F)........................................................................................................................ 42 Subroutine (Ctrl+Alt+S)................................................................................................................ 42 Operation Nodes...................................................................................................... 42 Menu (Ctrl+Alt+U) ......................................................................................................................... 42 Display (Ctrl+Alt+D)...................................................................................................................... 42 Input (Ctrl+Alt+I)........................................................................................................................... 42 Output (Ctrl+Alt+O)...................................................................................................................... 42 Verify (Ctrl+Alt+F)......................................................................................................................... 42 Copy (Ctrl+Alt+C).......................................................................................................................... 42 Modify (Ctrl+Alt+Y)....................................................................................................................... 43 Math (Ctrl+Alt+M).......................................................................................................................... 43 Call (Ctrl+Alt+L)............................................................................................................................. 43 Link (Ctrl+Alt+N) ........................................................................................................................... 43 Data ...................................................................................................................... 43 Register ........................................................................................................... 43 File.................................................................................................................. 43 Template.......................................................................................................... 43 Field ................................................................................................................ 43 Window Menu................................................................................................................ 44 Cascade Windows .................................................................................................... 45 Tile Windows........................................................................................................... 45 Filename [Frame] .................................................................................................... 46 Help Menu .................................................................................................................... 47 PPG Help (F1)........................................................................................................................................ 47 About PPG... ........................................................................................................... 47 Creating & Using Nodes........................................................................ 49 Overview...................................................................................................................... 49 Flow Chart Levels .......................................................................................................... 50 Frames .................................................................................................................. 50 Subroutines ............................................................................................................ 51 Creating New Nodes....................................................................................................... 53 Menu Nodes............................................................................................................ 55 Menu Text ........................................................................................................ 55 Function Key..................................................................................................... 56 Display Nodes ......................................................................................................... 56 Input Nodes............................................................................................................ 57 Input From Tab (Next Nodes).............................................................................. 58 Track Size Tab .................................................................................................. 58 Display Tab ...................................................................................................... 59 Store Info Tab .................................................................................................. 60 Output Nodes.......................................................................................................... 60

Information to Output Tab .................................................................................. 61 Special Commands ............................................................................................ 62 Next Node ........................................................................................................ 63 Verify Nodes ........................................................................................................... 63 Wildcards ......................................................................................................... 63 Verify Information Tab ....................................................................................... 64 Verify Options Tab ............................................................................................. 65 Store Index Tab ................................................................................................ 66 Next Nodes....................................................................................................... 66 Copy Nodes ............................................................................................................ 66 Copy From Tab.................................................................................................. 67 Copy To Tab ..................................................................................................... 67 Next Nodes....................................................................................................... 67 Modify Nodes .......................................................................................................... 67 Data to Modify .................................................................................................. 68 Modification Type .............................................................................................. 68 Next Nodes....................................................................................................... 69 Math Nodes............................................................................................................. 69 Floating Point Math ............................................................................................ 70 Operand 1 Tab .................................................................................................. 70 Operand 2 Tab .................................................................................................. 71 Result Tab ........................................................................................................ 71 Next Nodes Tab................................................................................................. 72 Operation (Mathematical Function) ...................................................................... 72 Call Nodes .............................................................................................................. 72 Call Subroutine ................................................................................................. 73 Links...................................................................................................................... 73 Creating Links................................................................................................... 73 Adjusting Links.................................................................................................. 74 Moving Links..................................................................................................... 74 Deleting Links ................................................................................................... 74 Automatically Generated Nodes ....................................................................................... 75 Start Nodes ............................................................................................................ 75 Exit Nodes .............................................................................................................. 75 Return Nodes .......................................................................................................... 75 Managing Data ..................................................................................... 77 Overview ...................................................................................................................... 77 Controlling Data Flow ..................................................................................................... 78 Registers ...................................................................................................................... 78 Using a Register as a Source ..................................................................................... 78 Register Fields......................................................................................................... 79 Using a Register as a Destination............................................................................... 79 Write Type........................................................................................................ 80 Specifying a Register Field ........................................................................................ 80 Register Example: Parsing Data................................................................................. 81 Files............................................................................................................................. 81 Using a File as a Source............................................................................................ 82 Data Location.......................................................................................................... 82 Using a File as a Destination...................................................................................... 83 Write Type........................................................................................................ 84 Templates..................................................................................................................... 84

Creating a Template ................................................................................................ 85 Modifying an existing template .................................................................................. 86 Template Example: Modifying Inventory ..................................................................... 86 Fields........................................................................................................................... 87 Using Fields in Templates ......................................................................................... 88 PT40 Communication............................................................................ 89 Overview...................................................................................................................... 89 Downloading the Application to the PDT............................................................................ 89 What Happens During a Download?............................................................................ 91 Specialized Download Situations ................................................................................ 92 Using XFER32................................................................................................................ 92 XFER32 Setup ......................................................................................................... 92 General Tab...................................................................................................... 93 Transfer Tab ..................................................................................................... 94 Logging Tab...................................................................................................... 96 Sending and Receiving Data...................................................................................... 96 Transmit (Send) Files......................................................................................... 97 Receive Files..................................................................................................... 98 PPG Tutorial ......................................................................................... 99 Overview...................................................................................................................... 99 Studying a Sample Program .......................................................................................... 100 Building a Custom Portable Program............................................................................... 106 Creating Frames and Links...................................................................................... 106 Creating Frames.............................................................................................. 106 Creating Links................................................................................................. 107 Main Menu Access ........................................................................................... 108 Creating the Main Menu Nodes ................................................................................ 109 Saving Your Program ............................................................................................. 113 Creating and Setting Up the Collect Data Nodes......................................................... 113 The Display: Enter Item Node ........................................................................... 115 The Input: Item Node ...................................................................................... 115 The Verify: Input Node..................................................................................... 118 The Output: Error Beep Node............................................................................ 119 The Display: Error Text Node ............................................................................ 119 The Copy: To File Node .................................................................................... 120 Creating and Setting Up the Upload Data Nodes ........................................................ 121 The Menu: Confirmation Node........................................................................... 122 The Output: to PC Node ................................................................................... 122 The Output: Error Beep Node............................................................................ 123 The Menu: Error Text Node............................................................................... 123 The Display: Successful Node............................................................................ 124 The Input: Timeout Display Node ...................................................................... 124 The Modify: Erase File Node.............................................................................. 125 Loading and Using the Program ..................................................................................... 126 Loading the Program onto the Portable..................................................................... 126 Using the Program on the Portable........................................................................... 126 Creating and Using Templates ....................................................................................... 128 Creating the New Nodes ......................................................................................... 129 Creating the Fields................................................................................................. 131

Example Frames................................................................................. 135 Setting the Date and Time ............................................................................................ 136 Changing the Auto-Off Timeout...................................................................................... 136 Displaying the Contents of a Register ............................................................................. 137 Sample Verification Methods.......................................................................................... 138 Verifying a Numeric Value....................................................................................... 138 Verifying that a Number is an Integer....................................................................... 139 Verifying Input Size ............................................................................................... 142 Downloading a File to a PSC Portable.............................................................................. 145 Finding the Number of Records in a File .......................................................................... 147 Searching for a Partial Match ......................................................................................... 148 Searching for Data in a File ........................................................................................... 149 Splitting Records into Two Files...................................................................................... 151 Referencing Two Different Files...................................................................................... 153 Reviewing a File........................................................................................................... 155 Sounding a Beep.......................................................................................................... 157 Padding a Number with Leading Zeros ............................................................................ 157 The PPG Library.................................................................................. 159 Overview .................................................................................................................... 159 PPG Program Source Files ............................................................................................. 159 PPG System Commands...................................................................... 163 Overview .................................................................................................................... 163 Using Predefined Defaults ............................................................................................. 164 Alternate Parameters.................................................................................................... 165 ASCII/Hex Conversion Table.............................................................. 167 Useful Bar Codes ................................................................................ 169 Troubleshooting ................................................................................. 171 Overview .................................................................................................................... 171 Fixing Corrupted Files................................................................................................... 171 Downloading the Program to the Portable........................................................................ 172 Error Messages............................................................................................................ 173 PPG Error Messages ......................................................................................... 173 PPGComp Error Messages ................................................................................. 175 PPGXfer Error Messages ................................................................................... 176 Technical Support ........................................................................................................ 178 PSC Website Support ....................................................................................... 178 PSC Website TekForum .................................................................................... 178 Reseller Technical Support ................................................................................ 178 Telephone Technical Support............................................................................. 178 Glossary ............................................................................................. 179 Index .................................................................................................. 183

(PPG) Software End User License Agreement NOTICE TO END USER: PSC is providing you with a license for the Software you have acquired, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If you use the Software, you will be deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If you do not intend to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, PSC is not willing to license the Software to you, you may not use or copy the Software, and you must contact the party from whom you acquired the Software promptly for instructions. This End User License Agreement (“Agreement”) is a legally binding agreement governing the licensing of the Software by PSC Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries and affiliates (“PSC”) to the entity or person who has acquired the Software (“End User”). For purposes of this Agreement, “Software” means the PT Program Generator, whether obtained directly or indirectly from PSC, including any related update or upgrade such as enhancements or modifications, and including all accompanying documentation. Any software that is associated with a separate end-user license agreement is licensed to you under the terms of that license agreement. PSC and End User hereby agree as follows: 1. Scope of License Granted. 1.1 PSC grants to End User a non-exclusive, non-transferable, perpetual license to use the Software, in machine-readable form only, solely for End User's internal business purposes. This Agreement does not convey ownership of the Software to End User. Title to the Software shall be and remain at all times with PSC or any third party from whom PSC has obtained a licensed right. 1.2 Each Software license permits End User to install the Software on a single computer only. A separate Software license must be acquired for each computer on which the Software operates. 1.3 End User may make one copy of the Software for backup purposes, provided that End User reproduces all proprietary notices on the copy, including patent, copyright, trademark, and other similar notices of PSC's proprietary interest in the Software. 1.4 End User shall not sell, assign, sublicense, distribute, lend, rent, give, or otherwise transfer the Software to any third party unless such third party agrees with PSC in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Any such transfer of the Software absent such agreement shall be null and void. 1.5 Other than as provided in this Agreement, End User shall not copy or modify the Software. Under no circumstances shall End User decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, or otherwise reproduce or remanufacture the Software, whether modified or unmodified, without PSC's prior written consent. 1.6 Any copying, installing, reproduction, reverse-engineering, electronic transfer, or other use of the Software 1) on other than the number of computers for which End User has paid for a Software license, or 2) on any non-PSC equipment, will be a material breach of this Agreement. However, PSC may elect not to terminate this Agreement or the granted license, but instead may elect to notify End User that End User is deemed to have ordered and accepted a license for each breaching use. End User shall pay PSC the applicable list price fees for each such license as of the date of breach as determined by PSC.

viii PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 2. Intellectual Property. End User acknowledges that the Software constitutes valuable trade secrets of PSC and that the Software is protected by intellectual property laws and treaties. The license set forth in this Agreement does not transfer to End User any ownership of PSC's copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, or other intellectual property rights and End User shall have no right to commence any legal action to obtain such rights. End User shall not remove, modify, or take any other action that would obscure any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property notices contained in the Software. 3. Proprietary Information. 3.1 “Proprietary Information” means all (a) source code, object code, software, documentation, and any related internal design, system design, data base design, algorithms, technology, technical data or information, implementation techniques, and trade secrets related to the Software, (b) any other trade secrets marked appropriately or identified as proprietary or confidential, and (c) any information that End User, under the circumstances, should recognize as confidential. Proprietary Information does not include any information that the receiving party can establish was (1) in the public domain, (2) already in the receiving party's possession or rightfully known prior to receipt, (3) rightfully learned from a third party not in violation of any other's proprietary rights, or (4) independently developed. 3.2 End User acknowledges that Proprietary Information is the confidential, proprietary, and trade secret property of PSC and End User acquires no right or interest in any Proprietary Information. 3.3 End User shall not disclose, provide, or otherwise make available PSC's Proprietary Information to any person other than End User's authorized employees or agents, all of whom must be under confidentiality agreement at least as restrictive as the terms of this Section 3, and End User shall not use the Proprietary Information other than in conjunction with use of the Software exclusively for End User's internal business purposes. End User shall take steps to protect the Proprietary Information no less securely than if it were End User's own intellectual property. 3.4 The provisions of this Section shall survive and continue for five (5) years after the termination of this Agreement. 4. Limited Warranty. 4.1 PSC warrants that, under normal use and operation, the Software will conform substantially to the applicable documentation for a period of thirty (30) days from delivery to End User. During this period, for all reproducible nonconformities for which PSC has been given written notice, PSC will use commercially reasonable efforts to remedy nonconformities determined by PSC. End User agrees to supply PSC with all reasonably requested information and assistance necessary to help PSC in remedying such nonconformities. For all defects reported to PSC within the warranty period, PSC's liability is limited to providing End User with one copy of corrections or refunding the amount End User paid for the Software license, at PSC's discretion, and responding to End User's software problem reports according to PSC's standard assistance practices. PSC does not warrant that the Software will meet End User's requirements or that use of the products will be uninterrupted or error free, or that PSC's remedial efforts will correct any nonconformance. This limited warranty does not cover any software that has been customized, subjected to damage or abuse, whether intentionally, accidentally, or by neglect, or to unauthorized repair, unauthorized alteration, or unauthorized installation, and shall be void if End User modifies the Software, uses the Software in a manner other than as established in the applicable documentation, or if End User breaches any of the provisions of this Agreement. 4.2 THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, PSC MAKES NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL, WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. 5. Infringement. 5.1 PSC will defend End User against any claim in a lawsuit that the Software furnished hereunder infringes a United States patent or copyright of a third party and PSC will pay any damages finally awarded against End User by a court of competent jurisdiction that are attributable to such claim or will pay End User's part of any settlement that is attributable to such claim, provided, that 1) End User notifies PSC promptly in writing of the claim, 2) PSC controls the defense or settlement of the claim, and 3) End User cooperates fully with PSC in such defense or settlement. All notices of a claim should be sent to PSC Inc., Legal Department, 111 SW Fifth Ave. Suite 4100, Portland, OR 97204-3644. 5.2 In the defense or settlement of any such claim, PSC may, at its option, 1) procure for End User the right to continue using the Software, 2) modify the Software so that it becomes non-infringing, 3) replace the Software with an equivalent product not subject to such claim, or 4) provide End User an opportunity to return the Software and receive a refund of the amount End User paid for the Software license, less a reasonable allowance for use.

User’s Guide ix 5.3 PSC shall have no liability to End User for claims of infringement based upon 1) the use of the Software in combination with any product which PSC has not either furnished or authorized for use with such Software, 2) the use of any Software designed, manufactured, or modified to the specifications of End User, or 3) End User's customization or modification of the Software. 5.4 THE FOREGOING STATES PSC'S COMPLETE AND ENTIRE OBLIGATION TO END USER CONCERNING CLAIMS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INFRINGEMENT, CANCELS AND SUPERCEDES ANY PRIOR AGREEMENTS, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, BETWEEN PSC AND END USER CONCERNING SUCH CLAIMS, AND WILL NOT BE MODIFIED OR AMENDED BY ANY PAST, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR FUTURE AGREEMENTS OR DEALINGS BETWEEN PSC AND END USER, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN A FUTURE WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH PARTY. 6. Limitation of Liability. PSC'S LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, IF ANY, WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT LIABILITY, STRICT LIABILITY, WARRANTY, OR ANY OTHER BASIS, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT END USER PAID FOR THE SOFTWARE LICENSE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL PSC BE LIABLE FOR LOST PROFITS, LOST DATA, INTERRUPTION OF SERVICE, OR FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, CONTINGENT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR OTHER SIMILAR DAMAGES, EVEN IF PSC HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. 7. Technical Support. End User is entitled to one (1) free technical support call in connection with End User's use of the Software. Technical support does not include assisting End User in developing applications. End User may obtain additional support for the Software from PSC at PSC's standard support fees and under PSC's standard support terms and conditions in effect at the time End User acquires the Software. 8. Government Restricted Rights; International Use. The Software is provided with Restricted Rights. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to the restrictions for computer software developed at private expense as set forth in the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations at FAR 52.227-14(g), or 52.227-19 or in the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013(c)(1)(ii), whichever is applicable. If End User uses the Software outside the United States, End User must comply with the local laws of the country in which the Software is used, with U.S. export control laws, and with the English language version of this Agreement. The provisions of the “United Nations Convention on International Sale of Goods” shall not apply to this Agreement. 9. Termination. 9.1 Either party may terminate this Agreement or any license granted under this Agreement at any time upon written notice if the other party breaches any provision of this Agreement. 9.2 Upon termination of this Agreement, End User immediately shall cease using the Software and shall return to PSC or destroy all Software covered by this Agreement, and shall furnish PSC with a certificate of compliance with this provision signed by an officer or authorized representative of End User. 10. General Provisions. 10.1 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the Software and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements, written or oral, between the parties concerning the Software. This Agreement may not be changed, amended, or modified except by written document signed by an authorized representative of each party. 10.2 Notice. All notices required or authorized under this Agreement shall be given in writing, and shall be effective when received, with evidence of receipt. Notices shall be sent to End User at such address as End User shall provide to PSC in writing, and shall be sent to PSC Attn: Contract Administration, PSC Inc., 959 Terry Street, Eugene, OR 97402. 10.3 Waiver. A party's failure to enforce any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not prevent the party's later enforcement of such terms and conditions. 10.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oregon, United States of America, excluding choice of law provisions. 10.5 Attorneys Fees. In the event an action is brought to enforce the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees, both at trial and on appeal. -END-

• Introduction on page 1, provides an overview of PPG, describes the con- ventions used in this manual, and tells how to access PSC Technical Support. • Getting Started on page 5, tells you how to install and run PPG. It also gives you an overview of PPG concepts and usage. • PPG Application Design on page 15, provides information on program- ming concepts including how to design your program, define pro- gram modules and specify program flow. • The PPG Menubar on page 23 describes the PPG menubar and how to access all PPG’s features using the menubar, including creating, saving and editing applications. • Creating & Using Nodes on page 49, gives you detailed information on Frames, Subroutines, Nodes, and Links. • Managing Data on page 77, describes the use of Registers, Fields, Files, and Templates. • PT40 Communication on page 89, show you how to download applica- tions to the PDT and how to transfer data to and from the portable device. • PPG Tutorial on page 99, is a step-by-step tutorial to use in learning PPG. This document assumes that you are familiar with Microsoft Windows®. If you do not know how to launch applications, select menu options, or use dialog boxes, please refer to your Microsoft Windows documentation before proceeding with PPG.

• Example Frames on page 135, contains sample code for commonly used functions. • The PPG Library on page 159, describes the applications that come with PPG. • PPG System Commands on page 163, identifies the system commands that can be used with PPG. • ASCII/Hex Conversion Table on page 167, contains a table of ASCII charac- ters for your reference. • Useful Bar Codes on page 169, contains bar codes that can be used to program your portable data collection unit. • Troubleshooting on page 171, provides troubleshooting information and table of possible error messages. • Glossary on page 179, is a glossary of the specific PPG programming terms used in this manual. Style Conventions Formatting conventions are used throughout this document to provide a con- sistent method for representing various screen shots, buttons, controls, key- board characters, notes, and cautions while you are working with PPG. Manual Formatting Conventions Keyboard Keys Keyboard keys, such as ENTER, are in Bold. When keyboard keys are Linked with a plus sign (for example, SHIFT+ENTER, or Ctrl+C), hold down the first key while pressing the second key once. Keystrokes Input characters, filenames, file paths, field selections from a pull-down list, and data or keystrokes entered by the user are shown in courier bold. Input characters are usually given in lowercase (no capital letters); you may enter them in lowercase, uppercase, or a combination. When input characters are given in uppercase or a combination of lowercase and uppercase, type the characters exactly as shown.

names, subroutine names, node names, file, field, template, and register names, menu options, buttons, dialog boxes, field names, and radio-buttons. Words in Bold separated by an arrow (>) are menu actions you make in the order provided. For example, File > Run means select the File menu and then select Run from that menu. Mouse Actions Portable Keys Keys on the portable data terminal (PDT) unit are bracketed with < >, to iden- tify that they refer to the portable data collection unit, rather than the PC. CAUTION Cautions indicate an action where there is a possibility of damage to data integrity or data failure. Cautions always have the Caution icon to the left. Notes provide additional information on a topic, including technical details, excep- tions to instructions and other pertinent information. Notes always have the notepad icon to the left. Click or Select Press and immediately release the left mouse button without moving the mouse. Clicking is used to select specific buttons on various forms and tables. Double Click Click the left mouse button twice in rapid succession. Used to initiate an application. Right Click Press and hold the right mouse button without moving the mouse. — Keys The Function keys, – , are used specifically on the PT40 portable data collection units. Key To differentiate the key on the portable from the Enter key on the PC’s keyboard, portable keys are formatted as “press ”.

tor (PPG). The following general topics are covered: • Before You Start on page 6 • What’s New in PPG v5.0? on page 6. • PPG License Agreement on page 6. • Registering Your Copy of PPG on page 6. • PPG Installation on page 6 • PPG System Requirements on page 6. • Required Hardware on page 6. • Operating Systems on page 7. • Supported Portables on page 7. • Installing PPG on page 7. • Upgrading to PPG v5.0 on page 8. • Launching and Exiting PPG on page 8 • Overview of PPG on page 9 • PPG Tutorial on page 10. • User Interface on page 11. • Menus and Toolbars on page 11. • PPG Toolbar Buttons on page 11. • Program Nodes Toolbar on page 12. • Working with PPG Windows on page 13. • Navigation on page 13. • Generating the Program on page 14. • Downloading the Program on page 14. • Transferring Data on page 14.

Before You Start What’s New in PPG v5.0? The following features are new to this version of PPG: • PPG v5.0 works with PSC’s Falcon PT40. • Improved user interface provides buttons to access program nodes and controls. • Double-byte language support for Chinese Simplified and Chinese Traditional characters. PPG License Agreement Review the license agreement; it gives you permission to copy the program files for backup purposes only. You may not make a copy for another person to use. When you open the envelope that contains the software, this means that you agree to the terms of the license agreement. Registering Your Copy of PPG PSC values your feedback. Please take a few moments and complete the Prod- uct Registration form located on PSC's website or on the PSC Manuals CD. Registering your products ensures that you will be informed of the latest prod- uct news, software updates and other future developments from PSC. PPG Installation PPG System Requirements PPG runs with the minimum hardware and operating system requirements listed below. For maximum performance, install PPG onto a computer with a higher speed processor and more memory than the minimum requirements. Required Hardware The following equipment is required to run PPG: • Processor - 450MHz • Memory - 12MB • Hard Disk - 10MB

• A CD-ROM drive • A serial port (for loading your program into a portable) Operating Systems PPG works with the following Microsoft® Windows® operating systems: • Windows® 98 (SP5) • Windows® 2000 (full double-byte functionality) • Windows® Me (SP5) • Windows® NT (SP6) • Windows® XP (full double-byte functionality) Supported Portables PPG v 5.0 only supports the PSC Falcon PT40. A compatible docking station or communications cable is required for the PDT to work with PPG. Contact a portable data collection supplier to purchase the required equipment and accessories. Installing PPG Complete the following steps in the installation utility to install PPG: 1. Insert the PPG Installation disk into your PC’s CD drive. A Welcome screen opens. 2. Press Next on the Welcome screen to continue the installation. 3. Press Yes, I Accept at the License Agreement screen to continue the PPG installation process and accept the PPG license agreement. 4. At the Destination Location screen, select the PPG destination direc- tory: • PPG installs to C:\Program Files\PSC\PPG50 by default. • Press the Browse button to select or create another directory in which to install PPG. 5. Press Next to select the installation of the PT40 software and PPG. 6. Press Next to begin the installation of PPG. A series of Installing.... screens appear.

7. Finally, a message that PPG has been successfully installed is dis- played. 8. Press Finish to exit the installation. Upgrading to PPG v5.0 If you want to upgrade to PPG v5.0, complete the instructions in Installing PPG on page 7. By default, PPG v5.0 is installed in a different default location on your PC’s hard drive than PPG v4.5, so it is possible to have both versions installed at the same time. Prior PPG version source files (*.scr) are converted when you open and save them in PPG v5.0. To maintain PPG v4.5 compatible applications, open them in PPG v5.0 and save them with a new name or new location. Uninstalling PPG To uninstall PPG, use the standard method of removing programs installed on Microsoft Windows: 1. From the Windows Start menu, select Settings > Control Panel > Add/ Remove Programs. 2. At the Add/Remove Programs window, select Change or Remove Pro- grams along the left side of the window. 3. Scroll down the screen until you locate PT Program Generator and select it by clicking on it with your mouse. 4. Press Change/Remove to initiate the program removal process. Launching and Exiting PPG Launching PPG To launch PPG, complete the following steps: 1. Select PPG from your Windows Start Menu > PT Program Generator > PT Program Generator. There is no keyboard wedge support in PPG v5.0. Applications created in previous versions of PPG that use the keyboard wedge option can be saved in PPG v5.0, but they must be updated with a new input method after you save them.

User’s Guide 9 2. The PPG window opens as illustrated in Figure 1 with a new, blank PPG application. Figure 1. The PPG Window Exiting PPG To exit PPG, select File > Exit from the menubar or double-click on the Con- trol-menu box. A dialog appears, asking if you want to save any changes to the current file. Select Yes to save changes or No to discard them. Overview of PPG Use PPG to construct and design an application for your PSC portable. You can create custom applications to collect, verify, and store data. Designing and creating the program is the first part of the process; there are several steps involved. Refer to PPG Application Design on page 15 for an overview of using PPG to construct an application for your PSC portable.

PPG Tutorial To become familiar with PPG, complete the PPG Tutorial on page 99, or access the PPG Tutorial via the on-line help. Program Files Executable Programs Following is a list of executable programs that are installed on your PC during the installation of PPG: Sample Program Files PPG comes with four sample files. Some of these files are just portions of pro- grams demonstrating use of a specific node. However, you can use any of these samples as a foundation for building a full-size program: PPG PPG is the PT Program Generator application. This is the application you use to create programs for a PSC portable. PPGXFER PPGXFER is used to transfer the program you created in PPG to the porta- ble. This utility is called automatically by PPG when you download a program to the portable. Refer to Downloading the Application to the PDT on page 89 and Specialized Download Situations on page 92. PPGComp PPGComp (PPG Compiler) is used to compile the program you created into the format which is downloaded to the PDT. This utility is called automatically by PPG when you download a program to the portable. Refer to Download- ing the Application to the PDT on page 89. XFER32 XFER32 is used to transfer data between a PC and the portable. After you input data or scan bar codes with the portable, you can use this utility to upload the data into a file on your PC. You can also use it to download infor- mation stored in a PC file into the portable. Refer to Using XFER32 on page 92. sample.scr sample.scr allows you to collect information with your portable, upload collected data to a PC, and erase collected data. You will be using this file as you work through PPG Application Design on page 15 and the PPG Tutorial on page 99. sample2.scr sample2.scr is a simple but complete data-collection program that allows the user to enter data as either item-and-quantity values or just item values. The program also stores data, uploads data, and erases data.

User’s Guide 11 PPG also comes with some example frames and files, discussed in Example Frames on page 135. You can download additional PPG library files, discussed in The PPG Library on page 159, from PSC’s website. User Interface Menus and Toolbars The PPG menubar is discussed in detail in The PPG Menubar on page 23. In Figure 2, the top toolbar is the PPG toolbar. The second toolbar is the Program Nodes toolbar. Refer to View Menu on page 38 for information on toggling the PPG toolbar and the Program Nodes toolbar on and off. Figure 2. PPG Menubar, PPG Toolbar, and Program Nodes Toolbar Refer to the following tables for descriptions of PPG toolbar and Program Nodes toolbar buttons, their basic functions, and a Link to the section that discusses the function in detail. PPG Toolbar Buttons sample3.scr sample3.scr is an expanded version of sample2.scr that includes review and edit capabilities. (This is the program that was loaded with your portable when you first got it.) sample4.scr sample4.scr is an application which illustrates multiple frame levels. This example is useful as a model for designing complex applications. PPG Menubar PPG Toolbar Program Nodes Toolbar Click this Button To New Create a new PPG flow chart file. Refer to Creating a New File (Ctrl+N) on page 24. Open Open an existing PPG flow chart file. Refer to Opening an Existing File (Ctrl+O) on page 25. Save Save an existing PPG flow chart file. Refer to Saving a File (Ctrl+S) on page 25. Cut Cut the selected node to the clipboard. Refer to Cut (Ctrl+X) on page 35.

Program Nodes Toolbar To create new PPG Program Nodes, click on the node’s Create button: For a complete description of each node type, refer to Creating & Using Nodes on page 49. Copy Copy the selected node to the clipboard. Refer to Copy (Ctrl+C) on page 35. Paste Paste the cut or copied node to the flow chart. Refer to Paste (Ctrl + V) on page 35. Print Open the Print dialog box. Refer to Printing a File (Ctrl+P) on page 26.) Help Open the PPG online Help file. Refer to PPG Help (F1) on page 47. Click this Button To Frame Create a new Frame. (Refer to Frames on page 50.) Subroutine Create a new Subroutine. (Refer to Subroutines on page 51.) Menu Create a new Menu node. (Refer to Menu Nodes on page 55.) Display Create a new Display node. (Refer to Display Nodes on page 56.) Input Create a new Input node. (Refer to Input Nodes on page 57.) Output Create a new Output node. (Refer to Output Nodes on page 60) Verify Create a new Verify node. (Refer to Verify Nodes on page 63.) Copy Create a new Copy node. (Refer to Copy Nodes on page 66.) Modify Create a new Modify node. (Refer to Modify Nodes on page 67.) Math Create a new Math node. (Refer to Math Nodes on page 69.) Call Create a new Call node. (Refer to Call Nodes on page 72.) Link Create a new Link. (Refer to Links on page 73.) Click this Button To

User’s Guide 13 Navigation If your flow chart is larger than the PPG window, use the scroll bars and cursor keys to scroll different areas into view. (refer to Figure 3 on page 13). Or use your mouse to expand the window size by clicking and dragging on the beveled lower right corner of the PPG window. Working with PPG Windows To expand the PPG window to fill the screen, or the PPG Application to fill the PPG window, select the Maximize button in the upper right corner of the window. To temporarily remove the PPG window from your screen without exiting the application, select the Minimize button. The window becomes an application icon in the Windows taskbar. Click on the taskbar icon to bring the window back exactly as you left it. Figure 3. Scroll bars on a Flow Chart

Generating the Program Refer to PPG Application Design on page 15 for an overview of using PPG to create a PDT application, starting with a flow chart of your data-collection process. Creating & Using Nodes on page 49 provides details on each program node type. Downloading the Program Once you have created a PDT application using PPG, connect your portable to a PC and use the Download Program command to load the program into the portable unit. PPGComp compiles the program automatically, translating it into code that is understood by the portable, and then sends the program via the cable to your portable. After the application has been downloaded to the portable, you are now ready to collect data with the portable. Transferring Data After you have input data or scanned a series of bar codes with the pro- grammed portable data collection unit, you can use XFER32 to transfer the col- lected data to a file on your PC. The data is uploaded via the serial cable to a specified file on your computer. You can also transfer data, such as a pick list for comparing input data, from the PC to the portable. For detailed instruc- tions, refer to PT40 Communication on page 89. Collected data is usually a series of numbers or alphanumeric strings stored in a file until you transfer it into a data processing program. For example, a scanned bar code that reads 107-028-0274, once filtered through a pro- gram set up to interpret it, is translated into more readable information, such as DOCKERS T-LG, $25.60. You can program the portable to translate scanned numbers into words, but this is usually done with your data processing program. For example, you can load the data into a spreadsheet program that performs calculations. Or use a database program that tracks your inventory. Use PPG to format collected data into human recognizable information. For information on working in application windows, including using scroll bars and selecting menu commands, refer to your Microsoft Windows documentation.

Overview This chapter provides an overview of the process of designing and building an application using PPG. The following topics are covered: • Designing the Application on page 15. • Application Output on page 15. • Application Structure on page 16 • Node Types and the Parent-Child Relationship on page 17. • Creating Function Nodes on page 18 • Creating Operation Nodes on page 18 • Actual vs. Virtual Display on page 19. • Defining Program Flow on page 20. • Sending and Receiving Files on page 20. • Additional Resources on page 21. Designing the Application Application Output Before you begin to design an application, you must decide how the resulting data will be handled. You probably have a good idea of how you would like the collected data to be output. The result of the application is usually a file of col- lected data, so you must determine the purpose of the file and how it is orga- nized; this determines what data is collected and how. You may want to examine portions of collected data or work with data files downloaded into the PT40. After you have determined the data output format, you can begin to define the program steps and flow.

16 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Application Structure Next you must decide what you want the program to do. Draft a program flow chart with pencil and paper, while keeping in mind the following ideas and concepts. Follow them as steps if you like: 1. List the major actions the user may take. These may include reading data from the scanner, uploading data from the PDT, and storing data in a file. 2. For each major action, define each step. In what order will the actions be taken? Walk through each step as if you were the end user. 3. Do multiple actions contain the same step? If so, save time and pro- gram size by putting these steps into a subroutine that can be called from different areas of the program. 4. Will each action be taken in a specific order or will the user be allowed to choose an action? To offer a choice of actions, such as collecting and uploading data, you can provide a menu that will allow the user to select an action. 5. Visualize the individual steps involved in each major action. • For example, will the user be collecting different types of data at different times? • For each action you would take as a portable user, imagine the options you would expect to have and the messages you would expect to appear on the screen. 6. In what order will the actions be taken? • Is there an obvious direction to the program? For example, a user would normally collect data and then upload it. • This order should be reflected in the main menu and in the program flow. 7. How will the user start? Do you want to identify the user first by ask- ing for a password or ID number? What about a log-on message? 8. To make your design clearer, try breaking your design up into logical sections. As a guideline, if a function contains more than ten steps, you may want to break it down further. Keeping each frame small will make your program easier to implement and maintain.

User’s Guide 17 • For example, an application with collect and store functions would be broken up into a collection function and a storage function. • For example, a storage function may contain steps to verify the data meets certain criteria, store the data in a file and track the amount of data stored. This may, depending on the complexity of each step, be broken up into functions which perform each step. Node Types and the Parent-Child Relationship Build your application in a modular fashion, taking advantage of the Parent- Child relationship. There can be multiple levels in each program flow chart. Any type of Operation node can exist at any level. The top level is the parent and lower levels are children. Table 1. Function and Operation Nodes Applications constructed with PPG contain two general types of nodes, Func- tion Nodes, which include Frames and Subroutines, and Operation Nodes. Each Frame in a program flow chart represents a major function or option. Connect Frames together in a logical way that indicates program flow. Operation Nodes are described briefly in Creating Operation Nodes on page 18, and more completely in Creating & Using Nodes on page 49. Function Nodes Operation Nodes Frames starting on page 5-50 Subroutines starting on page 5-51 Menu Nodes starting on page 5-55 Display Nodes starting on page 5-56 Input Nodes starting on page 5-57 Output Nodes starting on page 5-60 Verify Nodes starting on page 5-63 Copy Nodes starting on page 5-66 Modify Nodes starting on page 5-67 Math Nodes starting on page 5-69 Call Nodes starting on page 5-72 While it is possible to create an entire application at the main frame level, this is not the best approach for any but the smallest applications.

18 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Creating Function Nodes Once you’ve designed the basic program structure, the next step in generating a portable program is to define each Function Node. Function Nodes are frames or subroutines and are used to organize the steps and work of Opera- tion Nodes. Most developers start by creating Function Nodes. Frames Frames contain a set of program steps that are collected and ordered in a logi- cal structure. Frames can consist of other frames, subroutines, and nodes. Nodes are Linked together within the frame using Links. Subroutines Subroutines contain nodes that execute program steps, much like Frames, but they can be called from anywhere in the application. They should be self-con- tained and perform functions that are used in multiple places in the applica- tion. Use Call nodes to link Subroutines to the location within the Operation Node or Frame where they will be called. Using Your Flow Chart Using the flow chart you created in Application Structure on page 16, list the Frames and Subroutines you will define. As a general guideline, if the func- tion is used in multiple places, make it a Subroutine. Otherwise, it should be a Frame. Once all Function Nodes are created, define each step by creating the Operation Nodes. Creating Operation Nodes Each Operation Node represents a program step or work performed by the application. After you have created the frames and subroutines, fill in the pro- gram steps for each function node. Using the flow chart, create an appropriate Operation Node for each step in the Frame or Subroutine. There are nine dif- ferent types of Operation Nodes to chose from, as shown in Table 1 on page 17.

User’s Guide 19 Actual vs. Virtual Display The Falcon PT40's actual display screen is a window to a larger display area called the virtual display (refer to Figure 4). Most applications you will use will fit into the actual display. However, applications can sometimes contain data longer than the default 6 line by16 character view of the actual display. Figure 4. Virtual vs. Actual Display Using Default System Font The actual display screen shows only a portion of the available data in the vir- tual display. Use the arrow keys to navigate the actual display screen to view the virtual display data. The text in the virtual display remains in place and the actual display screen changes its view within the virtual display. If you scan longer bar codes or enter more data than can fit in a single line of the virtual display, the data automatically wraps to the next line. Because applications for the PT40 can contain and use different fonts, the amount of data that is available within the virtual display will vary. Actual Display The shaded box represents the PT40 display screen. Virtual Display: The larger area represents the maxi- mum size for the Virtual Display in some applications (visible to the user only by using the arrow navigation keys) 25 lines high 80 characters wide F1=NEXT F2=PRE REC#12 OF 16 120850A30NME5274J400984019 F3=REV F4=EXIT F1=NEXT F2=PRE REC#13 OF 16 120850A30NME5274J400942885 F3=REV F4=EXIT F1=NEXT F2=PRE REC#11 OF 16 120850A30NME5274J400967629 F3=REV F4=EXIT 16 characters wide 6 lines high 0,0 Adding or changing character sizes changes the appearance of the actual display. The number of lines and characters will vary with the character sizes.

20 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 The virtual display maintains the latest lines of data once all lines of the virtual display are full. The oldest lines of data are “pushed off the top” as new data is added at the bottom. Defining Program Flow After you create all the nodes, connect the program pieces together using Link Nodes to define the flow of the program. Links are shown on the PPG display with arrows which point from one step to the next. Some nodes will have multiple entry and exit points. For example, a Copy node can have either one or two exit points. You may choose to have your application go to a Display node if an error occurs or, if the copy opera- tion is successful, to continue on to a Menu node. For information on the mechanics of creating, modifying and deleting Links, refer to Links on page 73. Refer to Data on page 43 for a brief overview of data types and Links to each type’s description. For more detailed information on managing program data or to specify a Data File, Field, Template, or Register, refer to Managing Data on page 77. Sending and Receiving Files The final step in using PPG is to transfer the applications you have created to the Falcon PT40. Refer to PT40 Communication on page 89 for more information on sending and receiving files. Figure 5 on page 21 is a flow chart showing the application generation, data flow, file transfer process used when you create custom files with PPG and down- load them to your PSC Falcon PT40 from a PC.

Additional Resources Before or after you complete the application design, to understand better how to work with PPG to design and to create custom applications for your PSC Falcon PT40, complete the PPG Tutorial on page 99. Refer to Sample Program Files on page 10 for information on the four (4) sample files included with the PPG software. You can open these files to see how they are constructed, and use them as building blocks in constructing your own application. Refer to Example Frames on page 135 for information on the example frames included with PPG. Refer to The PPG Library on page 159 for information on sample PPG program source files which you can download from PSC’s website that include examples of file manipulation, templates, and nodes. You can download additional library files at no charge from the Technical Sup- port area of PSC’s website at www.pscnet.com. Refer to The PPG Library on page 159 for more information on these files.

Overview This section discusses the PPG menubar, located at the top left of the user interface. The following menu items are reviewed: • File Menu on page 23. • Edit Menu on page 34. • View Menu on page 38. • Create Menu on page 40. • Window Menu on page 44. • Help Menu on page 47. Refer to Menus and Toolbars on page 11 for a brief overview of the PPG menubar. File Menu The following sub-topics are covered in this section: • Creating a New File (Ctrl+N) on page 24. • Opening an Existing File (Ctrl+O) on page 25. • Closing a File on page 25. • Saving a File (Ctrl+S) on page 25. • Save As on page 26. • Printing a File (Ctrl+P) on page 26. • Page Setup on page 27. • Download (Ctrl+D) on page 28. • Customize Application (Ctrl+Z) on page 28 • Customize Display (Ctrl+Y) on page 31. • Recent Files on page 33. • Exit (Alt+F4) on page 34.

24 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 To access File menu items, click on File > and then the menu item you want to use from the menubar as shown in Figure 6. Or use the appropriate keyboard short cut, indicated on the same line as the menu item. Many standard Win- dows keyboard shortcuts can be used. For example, to print, press Ctrl + P simultaneously; to save, press Ctrl + S simultaneously. Figure 6. File Menu Like most software programs, PPG stores data in files. To save a program flow chart, you store it as a file. Once you have saved the file, you can open it and modify it. Use the File menu to create a new file, open an existing file, save a file, save a file with a new name, close a file, and print a file. Creating a New File (Ctrl+N) To create a new flow chart, select File > New from the menubar. If no applica- tion is currently open, an empty flow chart is loaded into the PPG window. If an application is already open, a second copy of PPG will start and open the empty application.

To open an existing program source file, select Open from the File menu, or use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+O.This action opens the Open dialog, as shown in Figure 7. Figure 7. The Open Dialog By default, the File list shows all program source (.scr) files in the PPG directory. If the file you want is located elsewhere, choose the drive and direc- tory from those lists, or type them in the input box. Select the file you want to open from the File list or type its name in the input box, and select OK. If no application is currently open, the specified file is loaded into the PPG window. If an application is already open, a second copy of PPG will start and open the file you selected. Closing a File To close a file and leave PPG open, select File > Close from the menubar. If you have made changes to the file, PPG will ask you if you want to save your changes. Press OK to save the changes and close the file. Saving a File (Ctrl+S) After you saved a flow chart in a file, use File > Save to save changes to it with- out being prompted for a file name. If a file has not already been saved, you are prompted to name the file. Select OK to save the program flow chart in the specified file.

26 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 If a file of that name already exists in the specified directory, a dialog box appears, asking if you want to replace the existing file. Select Yes to replace the file or No to return to the Save As dialog box, where you can give the file another name or place it in another location. Save As To save a newly created file for the first time (or to save an existing file with a different filename or location), select File> Save As from the menubar. This opens the Save As dialog box, shown in Figure 8. Figure 8. The Save As Dialog Type a name for the new file in the File Name field. The pull-down list dis- plays the names of all existing source-program files in the PPG directory. Unless you want to overwrite the contents of an existing file, use a unique name. PPG automatically provides the program file with a *.scr extension. By default, the file is saved in the directory in which you installed PPG, and this is where PPG will look to open a file. To store the file somewhere else, select or enter the drive and directory before the file name in the File Name field. Printing a File (Ctrl+P) To print the current view of a program flow chart, select File > Print from the menubar. Refer to the Print dialog, shown in Figure 9.)

Press OK to send the displayed frame to the printer. Only one view of a flow chart can be printed at a time. Page Setup Select File > Page Setup to change the printing options. (Refer to Figure 10 on page 28.)

28 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Figure 10. The Page Setup Dialog Press OK when you are finished modifying the Page Setup options. Download (Ctrl+D) Use this feature after you have finished creating your flow chart. Select File > Download from the menubar to compile the program and download it onto the portable. The PPG Compiler window opens, downloads the file and then closes, automatically. Refer to PT40 Communication on page 89 for complete instructions on download- ing and transferring files to and from your PC and the PDT. Customize Application (Ctrl+Z) Each application is designed to run in a specific environment. To change the application settings and open the Customize Application dialog box: 1. Select File > Customize Application from the menubar.

2. Change the desired settings as explained below: PDT Options Click on the arrow to access the fields’ pull-down lists. Default PDT type Determines the PSC por- table defaults. Select from one of two PSC portable types. Default Language Determines the language and font size in which prompts appear on the PDT. Default Font Size Determines the language and font size in which all other text appears on the PDT.

30 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 3. Select OK to save your settings. This opens the dialog shown in Figure 13 on page 31. Appearance You can change the appearance of nodes with these fields. Font Press the Font Select button to open the Font dialog box shown in Figure 12 to change the font and size displayed in the flow chart. Figure 12. Font Dialog Box Your font changes affect all text in the flow chart, not just the selected node or frame. All objects in the current flow chart are affected immediately. Corresponding settings for previously-created applications will not be changed. Node Type Default width / height for nodes and grids are displayed in pixels Width Height Function 100 25 Operation 80 38 Width and Height indicate the number of pixels between points. If some of the text in flow chart nodes is being cut off, you can either increase the node size or decrease the font size.

4. Select OK to apply the setting changes to all new applications. • Press No to apply your changes only to the current application. • Press Cancel to cancel your changes. Customize Display (Ctrl+Y) File > Customize Display from the menubar to open the Display Options dia- log box, as shown in Figure 14 on page 31. Figure 14. The Display Options Window

32 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Grid Each flow chart has a grid background, which is useful in organiz- ing the nodes. You can customize the grid to meet your needs. Snap to grid Enable Snap to grid to organize the flow chart so that nodes automatically snap to the nearest grid point when they are moved. If this feature is not enabled, nodes are free-floating. View grid points Enable this option to display grid points on the flow chart window. Dimensions Default width/height = 10 pixels between points. Appearance You can change the shape and color for each type of node in the flow chart. Node type Select the node type you wish to modify from the Node type pull- down list. The shape, text style and colors currently set for that node type are displayed. Shape Select a shape for the node from the pull-down list. Text color Select a text color for the node from the pull- down list. Default = Black.

PPG files. Figure 15. Recent Files Menu You can select a file to open from this list. Fill color Select a fill color for the node from the pull-down list. Default = White. Outline color Select a outline color for the node from the pull- down list. Default = Navy. More Colors... Click on More Colors... to open a standard Windows dialog box for creating custom colors. Startup Select the checkbox to enable this feature when PPG opens. Show PPG Toolbar Enable to display the File toobar. Show Program Nodes toolbar Enable to display Program Nodes toobar when PPG opens. Show PPG Explorer Enable to display the PPG Explorer window when PPG opens.

34 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Exit (Alt+F4) Select File > Exit from the menubar to exit PPG. If you have made changes since the last time you saved the file, PPG will prompt you to save the file. Edit Menu The following topics are covered in this section: • Selecting Objects on page 34. • Moving Objects on page 35. • Cut (Ctrl+X) on page 35. • Copy (Ctrl+C) on page 35. • Paste (Ctrl + V) on page 35. • Delete (Del) on page 36. • Properties on page 36 To access Edit menu items, select Edit > and then the specific menu item you want to use from the menubar, as shown in Figure 16 on page 34. Figure 16.The Edit Menu Selecting Objects Select multiple objects using standard Windows selection methods: • Select one object. Hold down the shift button, point and select another object with your right mouse button. Add as many objects as you wish, holding down the shift button while selecting the object with the mouse. • You can also select a group of objects by pointing to a spot on the frame window which is above and to the left of the items to be selected. Hold down the left mouse button and drag the pointer to a point below and to the right of the objects to be selected. When the

within the box are selected. You may then cut or copy all the selected objects and place them somewhere else, or drag all the selected objects with the mouse to a new location. Moving Objects To move an object from one frame or program to another, select it and choose Edit > Cut. To copy an object, select Edit > Copy. Then go to where you want the cut or copied object inserted and choose Edit > Paste. The object is pasted in the top left corner of the window; drag it with the mouse to reposition it. You can use the Cut, Copy, and Paste commands to move and copy parts of a flow chart from one frame to another or from one program to another. These commands operate on frames and nodes just like they do on text or graphics in other Windows applications. Moving Links To move a node while retaining the position of anchored, jointed links, press and hold the Shift and Ctrl keys while grasping the node with the mouse and moving it to the new location. Cut (Ctrl+X) Select Edit > Cut from the menubar to cut the selected item. Or you can use the standard Windows keyboard shortcut and press Ctrl+X. Copy (Ctrl+C) Select Edit > Copy from the menubar to copy the selected item. You can also use the standard Windows keyboard shortcut and press Ctrl+C. Paste (Ctrl + V) Select Edit > Paste from the menubar to paste the copied item.Or you can use the standard Windows keyboard shortcut and press Ctrl+V. Fields and templates cannot be moved or copied between programs. Copied nodes lose their template and field references if the application in which they are placed does not have the same data elements.

36 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Delete (Del) To delete a node or frame, select it and choose Edit > Delete from the menubar or press the Delete key. The object is removed along with any associated Links. Properties Select Edit > Properties from the menubar to view the Properties dialog for both Function and Operation Nodes. Function Nodes For Function Nodes (Frames and Subroutines) you can also point to the node and click the right mouse button to activate a popup menu; select Properties. The Function Node’s Properties dialog opens, showing the assigned name and description. Figure 17. Subroutine Properties Dialog Box • To keep modifications, press OK; a new name shows on the node. • Press Cancel to close the dialog without keeping your modifications. CAUTION PPG has no Undo command to reverse actions you make accidentally. For that reason, it's a good idea to use the Cut command instead of the Delete command to remove nodes and frames. That way, if you delete something by mistake, you can use the Paste command to retain the information. Name PPG automatically names the item with its type. You can rename or change the name of the item. Description This field is optional, but you may wish to complete it to provide yourself additional information when using similarly named items.

lowing methods: • Point to the node and double click with the left mouse button. • Point to the node and click the right mouse button to activate a popup menu; select Properties. The Operation Node’s Properties dialog box opens, showing the assigned name and other node information. Figure 18 illustrates one type of properties dialog box. Refer to Creating & Using Nodes starting on page 49 to view the proper- ties dialog for each node type. Figure 18. Display Node Properties Dialog Box • To approve the changes, press OK to view the new name on the node. • Press Cancel to close the dialog without keeping your modifications. Name PPG automatically names the item with its type. You can rename or change the name of the item. Description This field is optional, but you may wish to complete it to provide yourself additional information when using similarly named items. Display This displays what will appear in the portable’s display window. Next Node Select the next node in the application’s sequence of events.

38 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 View Menu To access View menu items, select View > and then the specific menu item below you want to use from the menubar: • Show Calling Function on page 38. • Show Frame/Subroutine Nodes on page 38. • Toolbar on page 39. • PPG Explorer on page 40. • Status Bar on page 40. Show Calling Function Select View > Show Calling Function to show the parent frame of an open child frame. Refer to Node Types and the Parent-Child Relationship on page 17 for more information on the Parent-Child relationship. Figure 19. View Menu > Show Calling Function Show Frame/Subroutine Nodes Select View > Show Frame/Subroutine Nodes from the menubar. You can select this menu item only after clicking on a Frame or Subroutine node. Figure 20. View Menu > Show Frames/Subroutine Nodes

items. Use these features to customize the way your copy of PPG looks and behaves. Select View > Toolbar from the menubar. Figure 21. View Toolbars menu PPG Select View > Toolbar > PPG. Selecting this menu item toggles the PPG Toolbar on and off. Program Nodes Select View > Toolbar > Program Nodes. Selecting this menu item toggles the PPG Program Nodes Toolbar on and off. Refer to Program Nodes Toolbar on page 12 for a table showing what each node button does and where to get more information on each node type.

40 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 PPG Explorer Select View > PPG Explorer to toggle the PPG Explorer on or off. You can also click on the small X at the top right of the Explorer window to close it. The Explorer window is dockable, which means you can reposition it to other locations. To move it, click on the double bar at the top of the Explorer. Hold the left mouse button down and drag the window to the desired location. Status Bar Select View > Status bar to toggle the bottom status bar on or off. When you print to a menu or toolbar command, the status bar displays a text description of the command. Toggling the status bar off makes the application display window slightly larger. Create Menu From the menubar, select Create > and then the type of node or data you wish to create: • Function Nodes on page 42. • Frame (Ctrl+Alt+F) on page 42. • Subroutine (Ctrl+Alt+S) on page 42. • Operation Nodes on page 42. • Menu (Ctrl+Alt+U) on page 42. • Display (Ctrl+Alt+D) on page 42.

• Output (Ctrl+Alt+O) on page 42. • Verify (Ctrl+Alt+F) on page 42. • Copy (Ctrl+Alt+C) on page 42. • Modify (Ctrl+Alt+Y) on page 43. • Math (Ctrl+Alt+M) on page 43. • Call (Ctrl+Alt+L) on page 43. • Link (Ctrl+Alt+N) on page 43. • Data on page 43. • Register on page 43. • File on page 43. • Template on page 43. • Field on page 43. Refer to Creating & Using Nodes on page 49 for a a complete review of creating and using nodes. Figure 22. Create Menu

42 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Function Nodes Frame (Ctrl+Alt+F) For a thorough discussion of Frames, refer to Frames on page 50. Subroutine (Ctrl+Alt+S) For complete information on Subroutines, refer to Subroutines on page 51. Operation Nodes Menu (Ctrl+Alt+U) Menu nodes present a group of options on the portable’s screen. They allow the user to select an option by pressing a function key. For complete informa- tion on Menus, refer to Menu Nodes on page 55. Display (Ctrl+Alt+D) Display nodes display text on the portable’s screen. Refer to Display Nodes on page 56 Input (Ctrl+Alt+I) Input nodes specify how the portable will receive data. You can indicate how the input is accepted and where it is stored. Refer to Input Nodes on page 57. Output (Ctrl+Alt+O) Output nodes send data to either the display, serial port or the portable’s system software. Output to the system software allows you to send special commands to reposition the cursor, sound a beep or reconfigure the portable. Refer to Out- put Nodes on page 60 Verify (Ctrl+Alt+F) Verify nodes test data in a register or file to see if it matches the expected type or value. Refer to Verify Nodes on page 63 Copy (Ctrl+Alt+C) Copy nodes move data between registers and files. Refer to Copy Nodes on page 66.

Nodes on page 67. Math (Ctrl+Alt+M) Math nodes perform basic mathematical functions on the contents of a register or file. Refer to Math Nodes on page 69. Call (Ctrl+Alt+L) Call nodes branch to a subroutine. Upon completion, the subroutine returns to the calling node. Refer to Call Nodes on page 72. Link (Ctrl+Alt+N) Links connect other nodes (except Subroutines.) For complete information on Links, refer to Links on page 73. Data The portable has its own data storage methods. Refer to Managing Data on page 77 for information on Data Files, Fields, Templates, and Registers. Register Registers store data temporarily. For complete information on Registers, refer to Registers on page 78. File Files hold data in the portable until it can be uploaded to a PC. For complete information on Files, refer to Files on page 81. Template Use templates to combine data stored in different registers or break down data in a single register into fields. For complete information on Templates, refer to Templates on page 84., Field Fields allow you to store multiple pieces of data in a single register. For com- plete information on Fields, refer to Fields on page 87.

44 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Window Menu To access Window menu items, select Window > and the desired menu item: • Cascade Windows on page 45. • Tile Windows on page 45. • Filename [Frame] on page 46. Figure 23. Window Menu Select More Windows... at the bottom of the Window menu to view a list of open frames if you have more than nine (9) frames open. Figure 24. More Windows... Dialog

overlapping tiles. Refer to Figure 25 on page 45, to view cascading windows. Figure 25. Windows Arranged by Cascading Tile Windows Select Windows > Tile from the menubar to arrange open windows as non- overlapping tiles. Refer to Figure 26 on page 46, to view tiled windows.

46 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Figure 26. Windows Arranged by Tiling Filename [Frame] Select Windows > Filename [Frame] from the menubar to bring a window hid- den behind other windows to the top or to expand a minimized Frame.

want to use from the menubar: • PPG Help (F1). • About PPG.... Figure 27. Help Menu PPG Help (F1) Select Help > PPG Help to access the main Help menu. You can also press or the Help button on many Dialogs for context sensitive PPG Help anywhere within the PPG application. About PPG... The About dialog shows information about the PPG application including copyright and version information. Figure 28. About PPG...

Overview This section contains the following topics: • Flow Chart Levels on page 50. • Frames on page 50. • Subroutines on page 51. • Creating New Nodes on page 53. • Menu Nodes on page 55. • Display Nodes on page 56. • Input Nodes on page 57. • Output Nodes on page 60. • Verify Nodes on page 63. • Copy Nodes on page 66. • Modify Nodes on page 67. • Math Nodes on page 69. • Call Nodes on page 72. • Links on page 73. • Automatically Generated Nodes on page 75 • Start Nodes on page 75. • Exit Nodes on page 75. • Return Nodes on page 75.

50 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Flow Chart Levels After creating an empty application with the File New command, start in the main frame level. Nodes at this level should include frames and subroutines defining major steps in the application. Take advantage of the parent-child relationship to organize the application in a logical and maintainable fashion. To access the steps within a frame or subroutine, double-click on the frame with the left mouse button or select View > Show Frame/Subroutine Nodes from the menubar. To return to the higher level, double-click on one of the Exit or Entry nodes or choose View > Show Calling Function from the menubar. Frames Each frame in a program flow chart represents a major function or option. Typically, a program's frames include a Main Menu frame and a frame for each option on the menu. Links connect the frames in a way that indicates program flow. Figure 29 shows the start frame of the sample2.scr application installed with PPG. Figure 29. The Frames Level of a Program To create the frames of a program flow chart, complete the following steps:

User’s Guide 51 1. Select Create > Frame from the menubar. A new frame appears in the lower right corner of the frame window. The new frame is assigned a default name. 2. To position the frame, point to it, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the frame with the mouse. When the frame is positioned where you want it, release the mouse button. 3. To give the frame a more useful name, select Edit > Properties from the menu or select Properties from the pop-up menu (point and click the right mouse button). This opens the Frame Properties dialog box. Figure 30. The Frame/Subroutine Properties Dialog Box Subroutines Subroutines, like frames, are nodes that contain program steps. Subroutines are useful when your program uses the same sequence of nodes in several frames. Rather than repeating the nodes for each frame, you can put them in a subroutine and then use a Call node to reference the subroutine (refer to Call Nodes on page 72). If you're creating several frames, you can create a single frame node as described above. Then select the frame by clicking on it with the left mouse button. Copy the frame by selecting Edit > Copy from the menu. Then select Edit > Paste as many times as necessary to create the number of copies you need. Name PPG automatically names the item with its type. You can rename or change the name of the item. Description This field is optional, but you may wish to complete it to provide yourself additional information when using similarly named items.

52 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Figure 31 on page 52 shows the Frames level of a program that contains three subroutines: one for counting the data collected in a file, one for verifying that data, and one for displaying the data. Call nodes within the program frames jump to the subroutines as needed. Subroutine nodes can be placed anywhere in the application. However, to make subroutine management easier, most applications will locate subroutines either at the top-most frame level or in a separate frame that contains all appli- cation subroutines. Figure 31. Subroutines in a PPG program Creating subroutines is the same as creating frames. Complete the following steps: 1. Select Create > Subroutine from the menubar. A new subroutine opens in the lower right corner of the frame. The new subroutine is assigned a default name.

User’s Guide 53 2. To position the subroutine, move the pointer to it, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the subroutine with the mouse. When the subroutine is positioned where you want it, release the mouse button. Since subroutines aren’t Linked to other objects, their locations are optional. Normally, they are placed to one side of the frame. 3. To give the subroutine a more useful name, select Edit > Properties from the menubar or select Properties from the pop-up menu (point and click the right mouse button). This opens the Subroutine Proper- ties dialog box (Figure 30 on page 51). Enter the new name in the name field, and select OK. To reference a subroutine from within a frame, use a Call node (refer to Call Nodes on page 72). When the subroutine has been executed, control continues with the next node after the Call node. Creating New Nodes Each Frame and Subroutine of a program flow chart contains its own set of nodes, in a child (sub-level) flow chart. Every Frame is assigned at least one node automatically: a Start node, which shows the name of the Frame. If the Frame contains Links to other frames, an Exit node for each Link is also cre- ated automatically. A subroutine has a Start node and a Return node, which are created automatically by PPG. You add and Link your own nodes to define details for the Frame. To get to the Operation level of a frame, double-click on it. You can also move to it with the mouse and then select View > ShowFrame/Subroutine Nodes from the menubar. To create a node, complete the following steps: 1. Select the type of node you want to create from the Create menu. A new node will appear in the lower right corner of the frame window. The new node is assigned a default name. If you're creating several subroutines, you can create a single subroutines as described above. Then select the subroutine by clicking on it with the left mouse but- ton. Copy the subroutine by selecting Edit > Copy from the menu. Then select Edit > Paste as many times as necessary to create the number of copies you need.

54 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 2. To position the node, move the pointer to it, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the node with the mouse. When the node is positioned where you want it, release the mouse button. 3. To give the node a more useful name, double-click on it with the left mouse button, select Edit > Properties from the menubar. • Or select Properties from the menu which appears when you point to the node and click the right mouse button. • This opens the Node Properties (refer to Figure 33 on page 57). • Enter the new name in the name field, and press OK. 4. To set options and specify functions for the node, display the node’s Properties dialog as described in Step 3, above. Set options and enter information as necessary, and then select OK to save your changes. Each node you create requires at least one Link to another node; some require two or more. Use the Create Link command to draw Links from one node to another (refer to Creating Links on page 73). Each node is defined by a series of properties. To view or modify the properties of any node, double-click on the node with the left mouse button, select Edit > Properties from the menu or select Properties from the menu which appears when you point to the node and click the right mouse button. This opens the Node Properties dialog box (refer to Figure 32 on page 55). All nodes contain the following fields: Many Node Properties dialogs also contain the following: If you're creating several nodes of the same type, create a single node as described above. Then select the node by clicking on it with the left mouse button. Copy the node by selecting Edit > Copy from the menu. Then select Edit > Paste as many times as necessary to create sufficient copies. Name Edit as desired to call the Node by a meaningful name. Description Edit as desired to differentiate between similar nodes and node types. Next Node For each selected node, specify a frame or node to branch to. Display Enter text as you wish it to appear on the display of the PDT.

User’s Guide 55 Each node type also contains properties unique to its type. For more details on each node type, all operation nodes are described in this section in the order that they appear on the PPG toolbar and the PPG menubar. Menu Nodes A Menu node presents a group of options on the portable’s screen and allows the user to choose one of those options by pressing a function key. The porta- ble’s function keys can be used with or without the shift key, allowing for a total of eight selectable menu options. Figure 32 on page 55 shows the Properties dialog for a Menu node. Figure 32. Properties Dialog for a Menu node Menu Text The Menu Display window represents the portable’s screen. The Falcon PT40 display can vary, depending upon the options you selected in Customize Applica- tion (Ctrl+Z) on page 28. Refer to Actual vs. Virtual Display on page 19 for more infor- mation. • System font size 8: the display is 6 rows by 16 characters wide. • System font size 12: the display is 4 rows by12 characters wide. • Chinese characters: the display is 3 rows x 8 characters wide.

56 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 • Or you can get a combination of Chinese characters and one of the system fonts. Enter menu text here, including titles or prompts you want to display. In gen- eral, each line of the screen is associated with one portable function key, although it is possible to have more than one function per line. Activate only the keys you want to use. Function Key The through checkboxes activate or deactivate the function keys associated with each line of the screen. If you want the function key to execute an option on the menu, select it here. Next to each checked box, there is a pull-down list of nodes from which you can select the name of the node that comes next when that function key is selected. Any function keys not activated in the Menu node dialog box will have no effect when pressed. Display Nodes Display nodes display text on the portable’s screen. The dialog box for Display nodes (refer to Figure 33 on page 57) contains a text-entry area the exact size of the portable’s screen. Use it to enter the display text. Refer to Actual vs. Virtual Display on page 19 for more information To display information on the portable’s screen use a Display node instead of a Menu node (refer to Display Nodes). To execute only one action regardless of which function key is displayed, use a Dis- play node in conjunction with an Input node (refer to Input Nodes on page 57). Display nodes are designed to display data. To present options that can be selected with the portable’s function keys, use a Menu node (refer to Menu Nodes on page 55).

User’s Guide 57 Figure 33. The Dialog Box for a Display node Input Nodes Input nodes specify how the portable will receive data. You can use the dialog box for an Input node to indicate which sources of input (scanner, data keys, etc.) you want to accept. Figure 34. Input Node Property Dialog

58 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Input From Tab (Next Nodes) For each selected input source, specify the frame or node to branch to. The pull-down list for this option lists each node in the frame or subroutine. Select the next node to be completed for each input type. You can specify a different Link for each type of source. For example, you could Link any scanned (scan- ner) input to a Verify node that makes sure it's a valid number and at the same time set up any function key input to return to the Main Menu. You can also specify a file or register to store the input data in, create a Link for a timeout condition (no input received within a given number of seconds), and arrange for input data to be displayed in a specific position on the screen. Track Size Tab The Track Size tab option specifies whether to save the number of characters received. Selecting this option allows you to select a register (refer to Registers on page 78). Be sure to use a different register from the one used to store the data. For serial input with a file as the destination, the number of records in the file is saved as the size in the register. Scanner Allows data input from the bar code scanner. The program proceeds without waiting for the user to press the ENTER key. Data Key Allows data input from the portable’s data keys (all the keys except the four function keys, through ). The program waits for the user to press the ENTER key. Key Allows data input from any of the function keys. There are four function keys, through or you can press the key once to put the unit into shifted mode. This results in function keys through . For example, press shift and then to enter . The program pro- ceeds without waiting for the user to press the ENTER key. Serial Allows data, such as downloaded inventory, to be input using the serial inter- face or serial device. On Error For each selected node, specify a frame or node to branch to upon receiving an error. TimeOut Specifies the number of seconds the portable will wait for data to be input. If no response is encountered within that time, the program moves on to the node specified by the Link To setting.

User’s Guide 59 Figure 35. Input Node: Track Size Tab Display Tab The Echo to Display option determines whether the received data is displayed on the portable’s screen. Figure 36. Input Node: Display Tab When this option is selected, you are prompted to specify how and where data is displayed. You can select either the current cursor location or a specific posi- tion. Selecting the current cursor position may cause the data display to vary. Selecting a screen position allows you to specify an exact starting position. The clearing option allows you to further control the display. To remove exist- ing data from the line on which the input data is displayed, select either To end-of-line or Count. Select the appropriate option for the data you expect to receive. The echoed input is left on the screen until you display something else. An Input Size register is predefined for your convenience. The default settings (0 for both row and column) start the display in the top-left cor- ner of the screen. The rows and columns are numbered starting with 0; the first row is 0, the second is 1, and so on. Specify rows 0 through 5 and columns 0 through 15 on a PT40.

60 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Store Info Tab Data Destination specifies where to store the input data. Figure 37. Input Node: Store Info Tab To specify placement of the data in a register (refer to Using a Register as a Desti- nation on page 79), select Register in the Data Destination pull-down list. To store the data in one field of the register, select Field from the Write Type pull-down list. Specify or define a template, and select the field (refer to Creat- ing a Template on page 85). To store the data in a file, select File from the Data Destination pull-down list, and select a file from the File pull-down list. You can choose to insert the data before a given record in the file, replace a given record, or insert the data in alphabetic or numeric order (refer to Files on page 81). Output Nodes Output nodes send data to the portable’s display, serial port, or system soft- ware.

User’s Guide 61 Figure 38. The Output Node Properties Dialog You can send a constant value or the contents of a register or file. When send- ing data to the system, you can use special commands that sound a beep, set the system date or time, or reconfigure the portable. You can also send com- mands to the display to reposition the cursor or erase the display. Figure 38 on page 61 shows an Output node properties dialog. Information to Output Tab Output To specifies the channel over which data is sent. Output To Select an option to Output To. Display Writes the data to the portable’s screen, starting at the current cursor position. You can also send special commands to position the cursor on the display. Serial Sends the data over the portable's serial port to a connected PC (to upload a file, for example). System Sends the data to the portable's operating system. This option is used with special commands that sound a beep, set bar code parameters, set serial parameters, or set the system date or time, etc.

62 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Special Commands You can use an Output node to send special commands to the portable's dis- play or operating system. Creating Special Display Commands To create a command to send to the display, complete the following steps: 1. Select Display as the Output to Device. 2. Select String as the Data Source. 3. To add a command, press the Add button. An Add Output Operation dialog appears (shown in Figure 39). Figure 39. The Output Operation dialog Information to Output The Information to Output options specify the data or com- mand to be transmitted (string), or the register or file containing the data. Refer to Registers on page 78 and Files on page 81. Select Operation Select the location for the beginning of the command to appear on the porta- ble’s display from the Select Operation pull-down list. Move to row, column within current display Erase all text from cursor to EOL Move to row, column within the virtual screen. Refer to Actual vs. Virtual Display on page 19 for more information.

User’s Guide 63 4. Fill in the appropriate values and select OK. You may combine multiple Output commands in a single command string. Creating Special System Commands Refer to the Falcon PT40 Product Reference Guide for a table of system com- mands. Next Node Next node specifies the next operation to perform depending upon the success or failure of the output. Verify Nodes Verify nodes test data in a register or file to see if it is a certain type (ASCII, numeric, or alphabetic). They can also check that the data matches a given constant, matches the contents of a register, or falls within a given numeric or alphabetic range. Usually a Verify node Links to one node if the data passes the test and to another node if it doesn't. For example, a Verify node might check to see if the value scanned is numeric. If it is, the Verify node might branch to an Output node that sends the value to a file; otherwise, it might display an error message. Wildcards PPG supports the use of wildcards in searches and verifications. The following wildcards are supported: Erase screen, return cursor to home position Move up one or more rows Move down one or more rows Move right one or more columns Move left one or more columns Display text on screen [ NO OPERATION ] Depending upon which operation you select, one or more parameters may be required. * Any sequence of characters.

64 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Figure 40 on page 64 shows the Verify Information tab of the Verify node proper- ties dialog. Verify Information Tab Figure 40. The Verify Node Properties Dialog Data Verify Source specifies the location of the data to be verified—either a register or a file. The Sorted setting uses a binary search algorithm to speed up the file searches. This option works only with presorted files. Use the displayed sub-dialog box to specify the exact register or file (Using a Register as a Source on page 78 and Using a File as a Source on page 82). ? Any single character. @ Any alphabetic character. # Any numeric character. ~, Any field (any sequence of characters up to the specified delimiter, which can be any character, in this case, a comma).

User’s Guide 65 Verify Options Tab Figure 41. Verify Node Verify Options Tab Data Type Data type allows you to select the type the data should match ASCII values ASCII values (hex values 20 to 7F) include alpha-numeric char- acters and symbols (such as brackets, commas, dollar sign, and slash). Refer to ASCII/Hex Conversion Table on page 167 for a table of ASCII values. NOTE: Use the ASCII setting only if you don’t care if the data is numbers or letters. Numeric values Numeric values (hex values 30 to 39) include the characters + (plus), - (minus), and . (period). Alphabetic values Alphabetic values include hex values 41 to 5A and 61 to 7A. Comparison Type Comparison Type specifies the data to be tested against.

66 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Store Index Tab Figure 42. Store Index Tab The Store Index In Register option stores in a register the number of the first record in the file that passes the verification. If there is no match, it stores the position of the last record. Select a register name from the list. This option is only available when the Verify Source option is set to File. Next Nodes Next node specifies the next operation to go to when the verify function suc- ceeds or fails. Copy Nodes Copy nodes are used to move data between registers and files. Collected data is often stored temporarily in a register until it is validated. Then a Copy node transfers the data into a file. A Copy node can also copy data from a portable file to a register, where it can be referenced or displayed. You can also use a Copy node to copy a constant value to a register or file or to copy data between files and between registers. Figure 43 on page 67 shows the dialog box associated with a Copy node. None Requires no match; it tests only on the basis of type. Constant Compares the value in the data source to a constant value Range Verifies that the value in the data source falls between an upper and a lower value Register name Verifies that the value in the data source matches the value in a specified register (refer to Registers on page 78, for details on specifying a register location.) Ignore Case Ignore Case verifies the data match regardless of capitalization. If you want the data to be case specific, make sure this option is not selected.

User’s Guide 67 Figure 43. The Copy Node Properties Dialog Copy From Tab Data Source indicates the data to be copied—either a constant or the contents of a register or file. If you choose Constant, you are prompted for a number or text string. If you choose Register or File, you are prompted to specify a loca- tion. For more information, refer to Registers on page 78 and Files on page 81. Copy To Tab Data Destination indicates where the data is copied. Data can be copied to either a register or a file. Select the destination from the available options. For more information, refer to Using a Register as a Destination on page 79 and Using a File as a Destination on page 83. Next Nodes Next node specifies the next operation to go to when the verify function suc- ceeds or fails. Modify Nodes Modify nodes let you change the contents of a register or file. You can switch text to all uppercase or all lowercase, reverse the order of data, or delete data. You can also perform a search-and-replace operation on data and clear the eighth bit of data. Figure 44 on page 68 shows the dialog box for a Modify node.

68 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Figure 44. The Modify Node Properties Dialog Data to Modify Data source specifies the location of the data to modify. If you choose Register, select a register from the displayed Register list box. To modify only one field of the register, select the Field type and select the Template and Field name from the displayed list boxes (refer to Registers on page 78). If you choose File, select the file name from the pull-down list. If you select Record, refer to Using a File as a Source on page 82. Modification Type This option allows you to select how the data is modified. Select from the fol- lowing: To Upper case Changes all lowercase characters in the source string to uppercase. To Lower case Changes all uppercase characters in the source string to lowercase. Search \ Replace Replaces all instances of a given string with a second given string. You must use the entire string; it is not possible to do a partial match using a the Search/ Replace feature on the Modify node. To use a partial match, refer to Searching for a Partial Match on page 148 using the Verify node.

User’s Guide 69 Next Nodes Next node specifies the next operation to go to when the modify function suc- ceeds or fails. Math Nodes Math nodes perform basic mathematical operations on the contents of a file or register. Figure 45. Math Node Properties Dialog Reverse Reverses the order of data in the specified register. For example, if the register value were 123456, this option would reverse the order of characters in the string to 654321. Delete Erases the data from the specified register, field or file. Clear 8th Bit Ensures that specified data is in seven-bit ASCII format. If the data is stored in eight bits, this options clears the eighth bit. For example, when you are working with a database file that originated on the PC, this strips the 8th bit prior to uploading collected data to the PC.

70 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 For example, you could multiply the contents of the default register by 3 and store the results in a register called Triple. Rather than supplying a constant (such as 3), you could specify another register that contains the number you want to multiply, add, subtract, or divide by. Figure 45 on page 69 shows the dia- log box for a Math node. The format of the math function is as follows: Constant | Register | File + | - | / | *| % Constant | Register = Register | File The results of the math operation must be within the range of -999,999,999 through 999,999,999 and are always rounded to the nearest integer. Floating Point Math PPG supports floating point math. Decimal values and exponential notation of values with up to 13 digits can be entered in an application. Operand 1 Tab The Operand 1 tab lets you specify a constant value or a file or register con- taining the first operand for the mathematical operation. The location of Operand 1 is displayed near the bottom of the dialog. Figure 46. Math Node: Operand 1Tab For more information on files and registers, refer to Registers on page 78 and Files on page 81.

User’s Guide 71 Operand 2 Tab The Operand 2 tab lets you specify a constant value or a file or register con- taining the second operand for the mathematical operation. The location of Operand 2 is displayed near the bottom of the dialog. Figure 47. Math Node: Operand 2 Tab For more information on files and registers, refer to Registers on page 78 and Files on page 81. Result Tab Register/File specifies where the result of the math operation is stored—in either a field, register, or file. The location where the result of the mathemati- cal operation is stored is displayed near the bottom of the dialog. Figure 48. Math Node: Result Tab For more information, refer to Using a Register as a Destination on page 79, and Using a File as a Destination on page 83.

72 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 Next Nodes Tab Next specifies the node to branch to if the math operation passes and where to branch to if it fails. A math operation will fail only if you attempt to divide a value by zero or operate on a nonnumeric value. Figure 49. Math Node: Next Nodes Tab Operation (Mathematical Function) At the bottom of the Math Node Properties dialog (refer to Figure 45 on page 69), there is an Operation section, shown in Figure 50. Select from mathemati- cal functions that follow it. Figure 50. Math Node: Operation Call Nodes Call nodes execute a branch to a subroutine. A subroutine contains nodes that perform a routine function, such as copying data to a file or verifying data. A subroutine can be called from multiple locations in the program (with Call nodes), eliminating the need for duplication. Creating subroutines and refer- encing them with Call nodes optimizes a PPG program, saving both time and program size. Figure 51 shows a Call Node Properties dialog. + (Addition) Adds the two values. - (Subtraction) Subtracts operand 2 from operand 1. * (Multiplication) Multiplies operand 1 by operand 2. / (Division) Divides operand 1 by operand 2. Returns the integer result. % (Modulus) Divides operand 1 by operand 2. Returns the remainder.

User’s Guide 73 Figure 51. Call Node Properties Dialog Call Subroutine Click on the down-arrow button to the right of the input box to display a list of all subroutines within the program. Select the subroutine you want to Call, and then select OK. A Call to a subroutine executes the specified subroutine and then returns to the node following the Call node. Links Creating Links Links are arrows that connect frames and nodes, directing the program to the next step. A Link pointing to a frame or node shows how it is accessed. A Link pointing away from a frame or node shows where the program goes next. To create a Link, complete the following steps: 1. Select Create > Link from the menubar or press the Link button from the Program Nodes toolbar. 2. Position your cursor (the Link) on the initiating node, click and hold down the left mouse button, and drag your cursor (the Link) on to the Next Node. Release the Link. The Link is drawn using the middle of each object as an axis, regardless of the exact position of the pointer.

74 PT Program Generator (PPG) v5.0 To draw a jointed Link (a Link with one or more bends), point to the source node, move the pointer to where you want the first joint to be, click the mouse again, and draw the next leg of the Link. Click inside a frame or node to com- plete the Link. Adjusting Links To adjust an existing Link, move the arrow pointer to the Link's arrowhead or joint, and hold down the left mouse button. Drag the joint or arrowhead to a new position, and then release the mouse button. If two or more Links overlap, you can select them separately by moving the arrow pointer to a joint or arrowhead and holding down the left mouse but- ton. The selected Link appears dashed. To select the next Link in the stack, press and hold down the left button again. Moving Links To move a node while retaining the position of its anchored, jointed links, press and hold the Shift and Ctrl keys while grasping the node with the mouse and moving it to the new location. Deleting Links To delete an existing Link, select the Link by moving the cursor to the Link’s arrow-head and holding down the left mouse button. Press the Delete button or the ESC button.

User’s Guide 75 Automatically Generated Nodes Start Nodes Start nodes point to the first node in each frame. The are created automatically by PPG when a frame or a subroutine is created. Exit Nodes Exit nodes indicate where the frame ends and returns to its parent frame. Exit nodes are created automatically by PPG when you create a Link from one frame to another. (Refer to Node Types and the Parent-Child Relationship on page 17 for more information on the parent-child relationship between nodes.) Return Nodes Return nodes indicate where a subroutine ends and returns to its calling node. Return nodes are created automatically by PPG when subroutines are created.

data organization. The following topics are covered: • Controlling Data Flow on page 78. • Registers on page 78. • Using a Register as a Source on page 78. • Register Fields on page 79. • Using a Register as a Destination on page 79. • Specifying a Register Field on page 80. • Register Example: Parsing Data on page 81. • Files on page 81. • Using a File as a Source on page 82. • Data Location on page 82. • Using a File as a Destination on page 83. • Templates on page 84. • Template Uses on page 84. • Creating a Template on page 85. • Modifying an existing template on page 86. • Template Example: Modifying Inventory on page 86. • Fields on page 87.

Controlling Data Flow There are four tools you can use to control the flow of data: Table 2. Data Flow Tools The following sections describe how to select a register to store or access data, how to select a source or destination file, and how to create a template for breaking down or combining data. The last two sections give examples of using registers, templates, fields, and files to control data flow. Registers A register is a temporary holding place for data. Registers can be used both as a source of data and a place where you can place data temporarily. Using a Register as a Source When you choose Register as the source, you are given options as shown in Figure 52. Tool Description Registers Stores data temporarily. When you scan or enter a string of data, it is usually placed in a register before it is copied into a portable file. You can also use registers to store user response to a prompt, the index of a record in a file, and so on. Files Holds data in the portable until it can be uploaded to a PC. Usually after input data is verified, it is inserted in a portable file. The file expands as more data is added. Files can also be used to hold data- base information downloaded from a computer. This information can then be used to verify scanned data or for other purposes. Templates Combines data stored in different registers or breaks down data in a single register into fields. You can use them to set up records in a file so that the data can easily be transferred to a database or spreadsheet file. You can also use them to access portions of data in a register. Fields Fields are a breakdown of data in a single register. Data is arranged as fields in records in a template. Fields can be set to either a fixed length or a variable length with a separator.

To view a list of existing registers, click on the arrow to the right of the register list. To select one of these registers, click on it. To create a new register, click on the New Register button. Register Fields To select a specific field in the register, select the Field checkbox. This will dis- play a list of templates and fields within the register. For more information on register fields, refer to Specifying a Register Field on page 80. Using a Register as a Destination When you choose Register as the Destination, you are given the options shown in Figure 53. Figure 53. The Destination Register Options To view a list of existing registers, click on the arrow to the right of the register list. To select one of these registers, click on it. To create a new register, click on the Define Register button.

Write Type To select how the data is stored in the register, select the write type from one of these options: Specifying a Register Field If you enable the Field checkbox for the Register Source or select Field as the Write Type in a Register Destination, the template and field pull-down lists become available. (refer to Figure 54). Figure 54. Template and Field pull-down lists • Select the template you want to use from the Template pull-down list, and then select the field. • To create a new template, select the New Template button (refer to Creating a Template on page 85). Insert Insert places the data at the beginning of the register, before any existing data. Overwrite Replace replaces any data previously stored in the register. Append Append adds the data to the end of the register, after any existing data. Field Field stores the data in a specified field of the register (refer to Specifying a Register Field on page 80).

You own a catalog business. When you ship packages out, you scan a label that includes the destination region. The first character of each label identifies this destination region as North, West, South, or East. Customize the appli- cation so it divides data into four separate files by region. Create a template that separates the scanned data into two fields, the first one for the region character and the second one for the rest. The template exam- ines the region field to determine the file into which the scanned data should be copied: North, West, South, or East. To create this template, complete the following steps: 1. Create a template called Region containing the following fields: • Region, fixed length:1 • Rest, variable length, comma delimited 2. Create a Verify node that uses the Region template to determine whether the character in the Region field is N and, if it is, proceeds to a Copy node that copies the contents of the input register to a file called North. 3. Create a second Verify node that checks whether the character is W and, if it is, copies the input code to a file called West. 4. Create a third Verify node that checks whether the character is S and, if it is, copies the input code to a file called South. 5. Create a fourth Verify node that checks whether the character is E and, if it is, copies the input code to a file called East. Files Portable files are used to store data that has been either input via the portable’s scanner or data keys or downloaded from a PC file through the serial port. Each entry in a file is called a record, and the records in each file are num- bered, with 1 as the first record. There are two types of file settings in portable dialog boxes. Source file settings specify a file or record in a file to be read from. Destination file settings deter- mine a file or record to be written to.

Using a File as a Source From the Data Destination pull-down list, select File to make additional options available, as shown in Figure 55). Figure 55. Source File Options Select from the File pull-down list, or press the New File button to create a new file. Enable the Record checkbox to see additional options. Data Location The Data Location field lets you specify where the data you want to use is cur- rently located; choose from the following options: First First indicates the first record in the file. Last Last indicates the last record in the file. Number Number selects a specific record. You are prompted for the record number.

When you choose File as the destination, you are given options as shown in Figure 56. Figure 56. Destination File Options Select from the File pull-down list, or press the New File button to create a new file. Index Index lets you indicate a register where the number of the record you want to use is stored. You are prompted for the name of the register containing the record value (refer to Using a Register as a Source on page 78.

Write Type To indicate where the new information is stored in the selected file, select one of the following options: . Templates A template is a structure that you can define and use to alter the way in which collected data is stored. Templates can be used only in registers, not in file records. Template Uses The most common use of templates is to parse data in a register. This allows you to collect and store more than one type of information. For example, your program could ask the user to first enter a location code for an item and then the item number. The template would combine each set of values in a register, and the value pair could then be copied to a file as fields in a single record. Data in the file would be arranged either in fields of a fixed size, as in the fol- lowing: 2348493848 48 393948 8 293832 9 832928 185 392038 28 282930 Insert Places the data before a given record. When this option is selected, addi- tional options allow you to choose a specific record in the file. (These options are described in the preceding section, “Using a File as a Source.”) Overwrite Replaces a given record. When this option is selected, additional options allow you to choose a specific record in the file. (These options are described in the preceding section, “Using a File as a Source.”) Append Adds the data to the end of the existing file. Sorted Inserts the record into the file based on ascending ASCII value. Use this option to insert records into a specified file that has already been sorted to maintain the proper order of the records in the file.

lowing: 2348,493848 48,393948 8,293832 9,832928 185,392038 28,282930 Once downloaded to the PC, this data file can be easily translated by a data- base or spreadsheet program. The first value in each record goes into a Loca- tion field, the second value goes into an Item Number field, and the program pairs the values appropriately. Another use of templates is to break down data stored in one register into two or more register fields (for example, to strip out the first section of a code). Creating a Template To create a template, complete the following steps: Figure 57. The Create Template Dialog 1. Select Create > Data > Template from the menubar. The Create Tem- plate window is displayed as shown in Figure 57

2. In the Create Template Name field, enter the name of the template you want to create. 3. On the left, you will see a list of all currently defined fields. The list of fields currently contained in the template appears in the Available Fields list on the left. • To add an existing field to the template, select the field name and press Add. The field name now appear in the Template Fields list on the right. To remove a field from the template, select the field name from the Template Fields list and press Remove. • Select the Create Field button at the bottom of the dialog to create a new field. Refer to Fields on page 87 for more information on creating fields. Once you've created a template, it is added to the template pull-down list and you can use it with any register. Modifying an existing template To modify an existing template, complete the following steps: 1. Locate the template in the PPG Explorer, and right-click on it to open a pop-up menu. Select Properties. 2. The Create Template window is displayed as shown in Figure 57 on page 85. 3. Follow the instructions described above in Creating a Template. Template Example: Modifying Inventory You run a small TV-repair shop and keep track of parts inventory on a PC in the shop office. Instead of going to the office PC each time you use a part, you would prefer to use the portable to adjust your inventory during the day and update your PC inventory file each night. Create a portable application to download the latest inventory file from your PC and modify it to keep inventory current. Each time you remove a part from the shelf, scan its part number label. The application subtracts 1 from the quantity of items for that part number in the inventory. At the end of the day, upload the adjusted data from the portable to the PC. Use registers, files, and templates as shown in the following steps:

portable file. 2. Use second Input node to store a scanned part number in a register named Part Number. 3. Copy the Part Number register to a Lookup register. 4. Append ,* to the lookup key (wild card lookup). 5. Lookup Lookup register against the inventory file. This assumes that the inventory file is comma delimited, and contains Part Number and Quantity fields. Fields Fields are a breakdown of data in a single register. Most programs expect to see related values on the same line. Each line is referred to as a record, and each item on the line is called a field. The fields are either set to a fixed length (so that they appear in columns in the data file), or they are allowed a variable length with a separator (such as a comma) separating them. You can also use a template to break apart data stored in a register into separate fields. To create a new Field, select Create > Data > Field from the menubar to open the Create Field dialog, shown in Figure 58. Figure 58. Create Field Dialog To edit an existing Field: 1. Locate the field in the PPG Explorer; right-click to open a pop-up menu. 2. Select Properties.

3. The Edit Field dialog is shown in Figure 59. Figure 59. Edit Field Dialog Using Fields in Templates The most common use of templates is to parse data in a register. A template defines the structure used to access data. The fields are either set to a fixed length (formatted into columns in the data file), or they are allowed a variable length with a separator (such as a comma) separating them. You can also use a template to divide a register’s data into separate fields.