Understanding Mobile Display Files

Mobile RPG generates mobile-ready pages that essentially replace 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 Mobile RPG (and wider .aspx) world, these elements are called Controls, and each of the ASNA Mobile Controls discussed below can be added to a Mobile Page through the ASNA Controls tab in the Visual Studio toolbox. Each control has values called Properties, changing the values of properties is the core means of interacting with controls at design time. Anything a developer can do within a control is done by adjusting properties.

The code for Mobile RPG 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>

There are many common Properties shared between the various controls, some of the most frequently encountered are:

Height	The on screen height of the control (in pixels or ems).
Width	The on screen width of the control in pixels.
Border	The on screen height of the control in pixels.

This section details some important elements of the Mobile Display File that mirror portions of the 5250 display:

• Fields - Mirror 5250 fields, usually displaying identical information.
• Record Formats - Show the contents of a selected IBM i record format on the new screen.

It also expands on controls used to add functionality to the Mobile Display.

• Bars - Navigation bars anchored to the top or bottom of the Mobile Display File.
• Barcode Readers - Widgets that allow users to scan barcode data into their Mobile Display File.
• Buttons - On-screen buttons that provide easy input channels for users
• Charts - Dynamically generated charts formed by data on the IBM i.
• Expanding Lists - Lists that allow users to add more records with a button press.
• Icons - Non-interactive icons used for decorative or informative purposes.
• Images - Image files stored on the IBM i and presented as part of the Mobile Display.
• Geolocation Controls - Controls that provide data to optional APIs that depend on mapping data.
• HostFiles - Files such as .pdfs that are stored on the IMB I and presented as links on the Mobile Display.
• Maps - Dynamically generated maps based off of the Google Maps API.
• Links - Web-standard text links 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.
• Tables - Straightforward tables that give subfile data in a clean, modern presentation.
• Uploaders - Simple drag-and-drop controls that let the user upload files of various types.