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Motif and CDE 2.1 Style Guide Reference

Command Box (Control)

Reference

Description

A command box is a combination text-list control in which the text field can be used for entry of commands. A command box (and related push buttons) is contained in a secondary window called a command dialog.

Figure 8. Command Box.




View figure.

When to Use

Recommended
Provide a command box to allow users to review previous commands and either to choose a previous command or to compose a new command.

Guidelines

Required
Either display the list box permanently or do not display it at all.

Required
When the user invokes the default action of the command box, issue the command in the text field of the command box.

Required
If the command is issued successfully, add the command to the end of the list box.

Required
If the last command in the list box is selected, and a successfully issued command adds the new command to the end of the list, select the new command.

Required
If the command failed, issue a warning signal but do not add the command to the end of the list box, and leave the command unchanged in the text field.

Recommended
In a command dialog, provide an OK push button that invokes the default action of the command box and then, if the command succeeds, remove the command box.

Recommended
In a command dialog, provide a Cancel push button that removes the command box but does not issue any command.

Recommended
In a command dialog, provide an Apply push button that invokes the default action of the command box.

Recommended
In a command dialog, provide a Help push button that displays a secondary window containing context-sensitive help information.

Essential Related Topics

For more information, see the Command Area (Control) and Push Button (Control) reference pages.

Supplemental Related Topics

For more information, see the Information and Message Areas reference page.

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