Mantis Prompter Standards

Area:

Languages

Topic:

Mantis Prompters

Standard:

Production Mantis must use prompters that conform to specified guidelines.

General Design

• Prompter name should be same as program name
• Use blank areas to create a legible uncrowded screen
• Use a maximum of 20 lines per screen, but no more than 4 screens total
• If 4 screens not sufficient, chain to common prompters (those used by more than 1 program)
• Operator instructions should use present tense
• Use plain English
• Prompter should be divided into sections.
• Do not split PF key definitions between screens
• The following sections should be present in the order given:

  • Purpose
  • Usage
  • Other Program Specific Sections
  • PF Key Definitions

Program Options

• Use a bullet (two hypens) before program option name
• List by name in order of frequency of use
• Follow option by a simple description of how to execute the transaction
• Use examples to clarify (FA86, WI88, etc.)

Special Considerations

• Explain in NOTE aligned with program option headings

Program Function Keys

• Center PF key data under program option headings and descriptions
• List PF keys (both designations) in numeric order
• Follow with a description of its function
• Separate PF key name and description with a line of periods (about 5 to 10)
• Do not specify prompter exit keys. ANY PF key of ENTER will exit from the prompter

A Mantis Prompter Example

************************************************************************
                  STUDENT ENROLLMENT STATUS

--PURPOSE  DISPLAY STUDENT ENROLLMENT STATUS FOR MOST RECENT
           QUARTERS.  DISPLAYS UP TO 20 QUARTERS

--USAGE    ENTER STUDENT~ID~NUMBER
           PRESS ENTER

--NOTE     LT    LESS THAN HALF-TIME
           HT    HALF-TIME
           FT    FULL-TIME
           GR    GRADUATING
           RS    RESIGNED

    PF2  OR PF14 ..... SELECT NEW APPLICATION
    PF4  OR PF16 ..... DISPLAY STUDENT INDEX
    PF10 OR PF22 ..... MOVE CURSOR TO NEW APPLICATION FIELD
    PA2 .............. RETURN TO MENU
************************************************************************

Standards

Last Modified:

©1999 All Rights Reserved