Modernize VOS applications with GUI, WEB-enabled interfaces

Spider is a VOS-based GUI development set of tools that will satisfy the growing demand to replace legacy VOS applications with new, modern GUI user interfaces.

Spider converts existing FMS-based applications into HTML/JAVA code to produce sharp-looking GUI interfaces accessible with standard Browsers such as Netscape Navigator or MS-Internet-Explorer. All this is achieved by simply replacing the old "accept form..." code with new "call spider...." statements. Spider retains the existing screen image, the form's data structure so that no other application or internal structures would have to change.

Spider offers the easiest, most effective and cost justified method of web-enabling Stratus applications while retaining business logic and past investment in VOS software.

Data-Flow

Migrates any legacy VOS/FMS-based application to GUI, HTML, JAVA driven client/server architecture over the Internet/Intranet.
Gives end-user access to familiar FORMS (one-to-one conversion) via Netscape or I-Explorer.
Dynamically converts old-style FORM files into HTML forms; cycle fields become drop-down menus; form attributes (highlight, bold etc.) are preserved.
Turns function keys into clickable buttons with user-defined labels.
Requires only a minimal application change - replace "accept form" statements with "call spider ()...." calls; this is a one-time change - the user continues to maintain his *.form files using nls_edit_form (FMS).
Performs all form validation by the Client using JAVA code (written by Spider). This means that some overhead will be moved away from the Stratus down to the workstation.
Supports user-provided JAVA code (user-exit routines) which makes Spider a very open product and a robust development tool.
Provides new features beyond FMS' basic functionality such as HELP, RESET buttons, user-defined buttons, color-control, background GIF (user-logos etc.) and more.
Includes VOS' login (registration-admin, user-ids, passwords) and session management features such as session timeout/expiration.
Includes VIG-VOS Internet Gateway, a complete software communication solution for connecting VOS applications to IP-based peers. SPS/VIG can work as a one/two way Server or one/two way client. SPS/VIG may be used as a standalone product.

FMS-to-SPIDER Conversion

FMS Spider

form's image Spider retains the exact image including all text constants and position of input and output fields.

attributes (high, reverse, underline,
blinking) For each attribute, the user can define: font type, size, color and appearance (italics, bold underline etc.).

cycle fields Spider translates cycle fields into drop-down menus.

maskkeys For each enabled function key, Spider creates a clickable button. The user can assign meaningful text for each button (instead of just F1, F2...)

keyused Spider returns the function key used to submit the form (0 for Enter, 1 for F1, -1 for cancel etc.). Spider uses the same key codes as FMS to reduce application changes.

message (25th line) Spider displays the message in the status line of the Browser. field range. Numeric fields limited to a specific range are checked by Spider (the Browser).

help text Help text is automatically displayed in the Status area of the browser whenever the user clicks or enters the field's input box.

validation routines/validate
option FMS' validation routine(s) are detected by Spider and called to validate data input before returning to the application.

dynamic forms Unlike FMS, Spider allows the user to dynamically (from the program itself) add new fields to a pre-defined form (a xyz.form file).

timeout Spider uses internal timers and returns to the calling application with a e$timeout error code if there's no user activity within the timeout period.

Coding Example

FMS call:

accept form           (spider_form)
       update         (form_data)
       keyused        (form_info.keyused)
       redisplay      (form_info.redisplay)
       maskkeys       (form_info.maskkeys)
       status         (rc);

New Spider call:

spider_args.version           = 1;
spider_args.form_name	      = 'spider_form';
spider_args.action 	      = DISPLAY_FORM;
spider_args.data_p            = addr (form_data);
spider_args.maskkeys          = 'EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE';
call spider (spider_args.version,rc);

	Migrates any legacy VOS/FMS-based application to GUI, HTML, JAVA driven client/server architecture over the Internet/Intranet.
	Gives end-user access to familiar FORMS (one-to-one conversion) via Netscape or I-Explorer.
	Dynamically converts old-style FORM files into HTML forms; cycle fields become drop-down menus; form attributes (highlight, bold etc.) are preserved.
	Turns function keys into clickable buttons with user-defined labels.
	Requires only a minimal application change - replace "accept form" statements with "call spider ()...." calls; this is a one-time change - the user continues to maintain his *.form files using nls_edit_form (FMS).
	Performs all form validation by the Client using JAVA code (written by Spider). This means that some overhead will be moved away from the Stratus down to the workstation.
	Supports user-provided JAVA code (user-exit routines) which makes Spider a very open product and a robust development tool.
	Provides new features beyond FMS' basic functionality such as HELP, RESET buttons, user-defined buttons, color-control, background GIF (user-logos etc.) and more.
	Includes VOS' login (registration-admin, user-ids, passwords) and session management features such as session timeout/expiration.
	Includes VIG-VOS Internet Gateway, a complete software communication solution for connecting VOS applications to IP-based peers. SPS/VIG can work as a one/two way Server or one/two way client. SPS/VIG may be used as a standalone product.

FMS	Spider
form's image	Spider retains the exact image including all text constants and position of input and output fields.
attributes (high, reverse, underline, blinking)	For each attribute, the user can define: font type, size, color and appearance (italics, bold underline etc.).
cycle fields	Spider translates cycle fields into drop-down menus.
maskkeys	For each enabled function key, Spider creates a clickable button. The user can assign meaningful text for each button (instead of just F1, F2...)
keyused	Spider returns the function key used to submit the form (0 for Enter, 1 for F1, -1 for cancel etc.). Spider uses the same key codes as FMS to reduce application changes.
message (25th line)	Spider displays the message in the status line of the Browser. field range. Numeric fields limited to a specific range are checked by Spider (the Browser).
help text	Help text is automatically displayed in the Status area of the browser whenever the user clicks or enters the field's input box.
validation routines/validate option	FMS' validation routine(s) are detected by Spider and called to validate data input before returning to the application.
dynamic forms	Unlike FMS, Spider allows the user to dynamically (from the program itself) add new fields to a pre-defined form (a xyz.form file).
timeout	Spider uses internal timers and returns to the calling application with a e$timeout error code if there's no user activity within the timeout period.