GENX - The CA-ADS Dialog Generator Extension

In the process of developing applications, one of the most tedious and time consuming tasks is correcting compilation errors. In a CA-ADS® environment, compilation errors are detected when a dialog is compiled/generated using ADSG or ADSC. Correcting the errors involves modifying the source code of the premap and response processes which make up an ADS dialog.

In a standard ADS Dialog Generator environment, errors in process source are flagged with a dollar sign ($) followed by the ADS error code and message. In order to locate these errors, a programmer must scroll through the entire source code listing looking for a dollar sign. This is traditionally done via the Process Error List screen of ADS.

This method of displaying and correcting process source code errors has many drawbacks. Error messages are scattered throughout the code and cannot be quickly located. The programmer must page through the entire module, which may be hundreds of lines long, to locate all errors. In addition, one erroneous process source statement may cause subsequent statements to be found in error, even if the statements are correct. Screening out these pseudo?errors can be difficult as there exists no mechanism to scan quickly from error to error.

Once the errors are located, the programmer must attempt to remember all errors, write them down, and/or print the error listing. The first two methods are most often chosen and are prone to error, causing the entire generation process to become a repetitive one. The third method, while more efficient, is still time?consuming and causes a break in the natural rhythm of dialog generation.

Finally, in order to correct even the simplest errors, multiple steps are required. The ADSC session must be interrupted so that the programmer can sign on to IDD to correct the errors in the process module. Once the process module has been modified, the programmer must return to ADSC to re?compile the dialog. This can be a lengthy and time consuming process.

The Dialog Generator Extension (GENX) was developed to facilitate this compilation process and to eliminate the above problems.

GENX executes within the CA-ADS environment to expand the capabilities of ADSG/ADSC. It allows the programmer to view process module source and IDD records and then locate and correct any process source errors in a very user friendly environment. Once installed, its functioning is transparent to the user and requires minimal training.

GENX is invoked only after a programmer has compiled the dialog using ADSC.

Once invoked, the GENX Option Selection Screen is displayed. From this screen, the programmer may select a specific GENX function. The specific functions are:

• Display/Update Process Code - (EDIT)
• Display Condensed Error Listing - (COND)
• Display IDD Records - (REC)
• Insert Errors Into IDD Source Code - (IIDD)
• Remove Errors From IDD Source Code - (RIDD)
• Remove All IDD Comments From Source - (CIDD)
• Help - (HELP)