Problem Summary: Format rules
Pattern Key: FORMAT-RULES
Example: None
Use When: Always
Solution:
- Do not display internal codes (especially system-generated GUIDS) to the customer.
Examples:
- If 0 represents no selection, display something like "(None)," not "0."
- If 1-99999 represents a range of values starting at 1 with no maximum, display "1-", not "1-99999."
Note: Even if there is a physical limit to the maximum value, the customer only sees a value if he/she specified the value.
- Display fields in the order they are usually displayed and in the order they normally occur.
Example: On order forms, invoices, and throughout the system, the number of items precedes the unit of measure, so the user sees 1 Box, not Box 1. - Recommended: Controls that are not available (because of other parameter choices, security, roles, etc.) are shown disabled (gray).
Alternate: They may be hidden instead if a case can be made that the page would be too confusing or cluttered, taking into account the sophistication and training level of the user, and the likelihood that someone for whom controls are disabled or hidden would need those controls.
Exception: Surf-to-Edit controls are hidden from those not authorized to use them. - When a page is first displayed, the cursor is placed in the field where the customer is most likely to want to enter data, usually the first editable field on the page.
Rationale: NA
Accessibility: See Accessibility
Internationalization: See Internationalization
Supporting Examples: None
Where Used: NA
Coding: NA
Items of Note: None
Put to Use
Status: Review
Used in Conjunction with: None
Related Patterns: