Creating Transitions

Transitions contain the transition commands that Host Server uses to navigate between screens. There are two ways to create transitions. The first way is to begin recording and create the transitions and transition commands automatically, naming screens as you go. The second way is to first name all of the screens through which you will navigate and then create the transitions manually. Both methods are discussed below.

Creating Transitions and Transition Commands Automatically

While Interaction Host Recorder has many features, automatically recording transitions is one of the most powerful. The recording feature allows you to record transitions, naming screens and creating transition commands as you go. Once you have recorded one or more transitions, you can go back and edit the screen validation rules and transition commands.

• Step 1: Choosing a starting screen
  If you are recording a normal transition from screen A to screen B, you must first decide which screen will be the starting point. With a normal transition, you should start with a defined (named) screen. Once you have navigated to the starting screen, start the recorder by clicking the Record button.
  
  If you are recording the start up transition, you should start recording before connecting to the host.

• Step 2: Generating the Transition Commands
  With the recorder running, navigate though the screens to the desired destination. Notice that the new transition commands are listed in the transition command window. Each time you do something on the screen, a new transition command appears in the list. (You can edit these when you finish recording.)
  
  Transitions can cross multiple screens. The following diagram represents a collection of related screens. If you were recording transitions, you could create a startup transition and transitions from A to B, B to H, A to F, E to A, or any combination.
  
  
   

• Step 3: Defining the Target Screen
  When you have arrived at the destination screen and have finished working in that screen, press the Stop Recording button. If the target screen is recognized, the Transition Target Screen dialog appears. If the target screen is not recognized, the Screen Properties dialog appears where you can name the screen and define validation rules. Once you have selected (or created) a name for the target screen, the transition appears as the currently selected transition list.

• Step 4: Testing and Debugging the Transition
  Now that you have created the transition, you should review the list of transition commands that were created automatically and make any necessary changes. The transition commands for the selected transition appear in the Transition Commands window. See transition commands for detailed information on each of the ten types of transition commands. See debugging transtion for more information on cleaning up the auto-generated transition commands.

Creating Transitions Manually

While recording transitions automatically is almost always the best method, you can also create a transition manually. You do not have to be connected to the host when creating transitions, but you must have the profile open in Interaction Host Recorder. To create a transition command manually, right-click the transition list in the transition commands window and choose Add Transition... from the menu that appears. Once you choose a Transition Target, you can manually insert and configure transition commands.

When you have finished, debug the transition.