ASNA WingsRPG™ Reference Manual

Understanding the Resulting ASPX Pages

Wings generates .ASPX pages that essentially replace the RPG Display Files from the end-user's perspective. It's important to understand the elements that make up the .ASPX pages and how they correspond to components of the Display Files.

In the Wings (and wider .aspx) world, these elements are called Controls, and each of the ASNA Controls discussed below can be added to a Wings Page through the ASNA Controls tab in the Visual Studio toolbox. Each control has values called Properties, which represent variable aspects of that particular instance of the control which can be set at design time. Anything a designer can do within a control is done by adjusting properties.

The code for Wings controls generally resembles the following: 

<mdf:DdsControl id="_CONTROL_ID" runat="server" Property1="Value" Property2="Value">
     Contents of the control that are displayed.
</mdf:DdsControl>

This section details the various elements of the ASPX files that mirror portions of the 5250 display

Some elements that have no analogs in the RPG world that are used to add functionality to the Wings Display File.

  • Buttons - On-screen buttons that provide easy input channels for users
  • Charts - Dynamically generated charts formed by data on the IBM i.
  • Icons - Non-interactive icons used for decorative or informative purposes.
  • Images - Image files stored on the IBM i (or elsewhere) and presented as part of the Wings Display File.
  • HostFiles - Files such as .pdfs that are stored on the IMB I and presented as links on the Wings Display File.
  • Maps - Dynamically generated maps based off of the Google Maps API.
  • Links - Web-standard hyperlinks that allow familiar navigation options
  • Lists - Lists in various styles and formats
  • Panels - Screen-areas that act as containers for other controls.
  • Switches - Slider switches and checkboxes for selecting either/or options and settings.
  • Signature Controls - Fields that allow users to create, record, and display hand-drawn signatures.
  • Uploaders - Simple drag-and-drop controls that let the user upload files of various types.