Dr. Thomas E. Hicks Computer Science
Department
Trinity University
Windows & Forms In General
Always include a clear, concise title in the title bar of each form and
window.
The title bar shall include a commercial in the form of Designed
By for each and every form that you do for this class.
Most forms should have one - two major columns; there are certainly many
exceptions.
The most important information should generally be at the top of the form.
There should be some consistent pattern to the data.
Select color combinations that are pleasant and that do not strain the
eyes. The color combinations should be those that you can live with 8 hours
a day.
Do not select a background that forces one to strain to read/enter text
and utilize the buttons.
Do not use too many colors on the same form.
Keep colors consistent throughout the many forms of an application.
Center the Window.
Opt for clarity over cuteness.
Size All Data To Fit
Align Prompts & Field ==> Use Horizontal &
Vertical Alignments.
Do not have large gaps of unused space.
The margins at the top, bottom, left, and right should be
about the same.
Buttons
The Previous button should be on the far left and the Next
button on the far right.
The buttons should form some type of aesthetically
pleasing arrangement.
The space between buttons should generally be same.
The button sizes should form some consistent pattern.
You are welcome to make buttons that are used more
frequently larger in size.
Keep button organization consistent throughout the many
forms of an application.
Keep button appearance/format consistent throughout the
many forms of an application.
The button text and/or image should be extremely obvious.
Use tool tips to expand on button functionality.
Opt for clarity over cuteness.
Include appropriate buttons, or combos, to
filter or select subsets of the data
Include appropriate buttons, or combos, to
order the data
Prompts
Remove the colon from the prompts.
You may place prompt over or to the left of the data entry field; select
one and be consistent.
If placing the prompt beside the data entry field, right justify the prompt
beside the field.
If placing the prompt over the data entry field, left justify the prompt
with the field.
Keep the distance from the prompt consistent throughout the form.
Keep the prompts the same font and size.
Do not make the prompt larger or more predominant than the corresponding
data entry field.
Capitalize the first letter of each and every word in the prompt.
Try to avoid all upper case prompts, unless acronyms.
The prompt should be extremely clear and concise.
Opt for clarity over cuteness.
Data Entry Fields
Keep the data entry fields the same font and size.
Do not make the data entry fields smaller than the corresponding prompt.
Try to adjust the data for the user when possible [leading space - formatting
- case - etc.]
Try to provide adequate space for the response.
Do not accept any more in the field than the table will hold.
Opt for clarity over cuteness.
Name the fields well.
Help to mask and validate the data when possible.
Make the background and foreground easy to read.
You may enter the following types of one line button code
to a valid form field event
Replace FirstName with
AllTrim(FirstName)
Replace State with
AllTrim(Upper(State))
Sample Forms
May be accessed
through URL:
http://www.cs.trinity.edu/~thicks May also be accessed
through URL:
http://carme.cs.trinity.edu
This Document May Not Be Printed
or Reproduced Without Written Permission. 2003 Copyright : Dr. Thomas
E. Hicks Permission granted : Professional
Educators & College Students may print one copy of this page!
