GUI stands for Graphical User Interface, a type of user interface that takes advantage of high-resolution graphics. When applied to NPT's (Non-Programmable Terminals) there is a text subset of the graphical model.
WIMP represents the constructs used within a GUI environment. WIMP stands for Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointing devices and applies to the components being implemented.
GUI WIMP constructs are used in LANSA by defining a particular input/output attribute against a field. The attribute may be specified via the data dictionary, DEFINE or OVERRIDE command, and the PUT_FIELD Built-In Function.
Only one GUI attribute may be used per field, for both the input and output attribute list.
DDS keywords were deliberately NOT used to implement these GUI WIMP constructs.
The implementation of these GUI WIMP constructs in LANSA was done to allow enhancement of applications which are primarily run via Visual LANSA. Implementation of these GUI WIMP constructs into applications that are solely run on NPT's (Non-Programmable Terminals) is at the discretion of the designer.
Due to the varying implementations on different platforms additional spacing may be used so that positioning of the GUI WIMP fields is consistent across platforms. Refer to Designing Client/Server Applications in the LANSA Application Design Guide for more information.
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