Technical Notes (SAP Library - BC

Technical Notes

To enable the user to initate functions, the functions have to be integrated into the user interface using the Menu Painter. This integration is achieved by

including the functions in pull-down menus
assigning the functions to function keys

Permanently active functions (within primary windows), which are assigned to a standard function key, are automatically assigned to this key in the Menu Painter (for example, Help, Possible entries).

Menu Painter

In the Menu Painter, you define the following attributes: Function code, category, pull-down menu or pushbutton texts, and a mnemonic access character (see Access Characters).

Function Code

The function code is a one to four-character letter combination which characterizes a function and which the user can enter to initiate processing. For a number of standard functions, the function code is predefined and suggested by the Menu Painter.

Function Category

The function category gives information about the flow control. The following categories are distinguished:

''S', 'N'
'S' and 'N' indicate a system function . System functions are not processed by the task program and executed before formal input checks are performed.

''E'
'E' indicates a function which is to be executed in your program before the formal input check is performed.
' ' = without category
This indicates a function that is evaluated in your program and used for controlling. Formal input checks have priority over these functions. This category is assumed for all functions not especially marked.

For more information, please refer to the Menu Painter documentation on the field Category.

Texts

For the pull-down menus and the pushbuttons, you have to define texts which characterize the function. For a number of functions, menu texts and pushbutton texts as well as their abbreviations have been defined:

The text in the menu is defined in the Menu Painter in the column of the same name and has a maximum of 20 characters.

The text on the function key is also defined in the Menu Painter in the column of the same name and also has a maximum length of 20 characters (and a minimum length of 5). An "F <function key number> =" is prefixed automatically during display of the function key setting in order to achieve a consistent layout under different operating systems. This also supports users who prefer to use the keyboard (in future, this can be set by the user).

The text is used in the Function Key Menu and as pushbutton text.

The pushbutton text is also used in the function key menu. The text is also defined in the Menu Painter and also has a maximum length of 20 characters. It is displayed dynamically.

The abbreviation is to be used as part of the function name as "Text in the menu" and/or "Text on the pushbutton".

Access Character

An access character is to be assigned to the function to access the function with the fast path. The Menu Painter makes suggestions for standard functions; access characters can also be determined for your own functions. If you define an access character yourself, make sure that it is unique within the pull-down menu in question.

Pull-Down Menu Option

The function has to be assigned to the pull-down menu in which it is to be included.

Entry in the Application Toolbar

To display a function key as a pushbutton in the application toolbar, you have to define in the Menu Painter which pushbutton is to execute this function.

Icons on Pushbuttons

For a number of functions you can use predefined icons. For more information on icons on pushbuttons please refer Pushbuttons With No Fixed Position (Control Element) and the individual functions.

Processing The Function Selection

To process a function selected by the user, a field of the category 'OK' has to be defined on the screen in the field list (the field name "OK_CODE" or "OK code" is generally used). After the function has been chosen, this field is set by the system zo the respective function code at runtime.

Defining The Functionality

The contents of the functions are defined in the module pool in a module which is processed at the event PROCESS AFTER INPUT.

Further Information

For more information, please refer to the Menu Painter documentation in the menu Help ® Extended Help.