The USoft tools respond to a number of default shortcut keys, also referred to as function keys. They can be individual keys (such as the F2 key) or key combinations (such as SHIFT+TAB).
Shortcut keys in web applications
In web applications, functions are operated mostly by mouse clicks or other similar user actions (such as scrolling), as opposed to being operated by keystrokes.
However, USoft implements a number of popular standard keystrokes. For example, in forms, the TAB key is used by default to jump to the next field, and the SHIFT+TAB key is used to jump to the previous field.
Shortcut keys in client/server interfaces
Click here for a list of all the shortcut keys used in USoft client/server interfaces.
Most of the USoft tools have a client/server interface. They respond to a large collection of shortcut keys. In fact, in USoft, most functions can be operated via the keyboard.
These same client/server shortcut keys are applied by default to client/server applications that you create in USoft. For example, in USoft Definer, you can press F2 to put a form in Query Mode. This F2 key works also, by default, in forms created by yourself.
Good client/server interface design is to offer a function key for each of the main user operations, and also to represent each operation by a menu option in the main menu (or in a submenu of the main menu). Ideally, in each case, the menu option shows what the function key is.
In USoft Windows Designer, you can set or override shortcut keys for a number of objects, especially menu options and buttons. Use the Accelerator and Mnemonic properties.
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