Strings

String items are texts that are displayed on forms and cannot be edited by the user. They are useful for conveying information to the user. Screenshot shows a string item on a form.

Screenshot A String Item on a Form

Java graphics 08fig04.gif


app Developer Responsibilities

MIDP Implementor Responsibilities

  • String text
  • Any label text
  • Any layout directives
  • Any preferred size
  • Any appearance mode
  • Any font suggestion
  • Any appearance mode
  • Any item-specific abstract commands
  • String font
  • Layout hint support
  • Text-display policy (wrapped or clipped)
  • Minimum and maximum size

app Developers

Consider: You can add, change, or remove a string item, its attributes, or its label as needed. Try to do it only when the form is not visible or in response to a user action. Arbitrary changes to visible screens are confusing to users.

Consider: You can make a string item interactive by adding an item-specific abstract command. In addition, you can change the appearance of the interactive item so that it looks like a button or a hyperlink. (See "Buttons and Hyperlinks" on page 97 for more information.)

MIDP Implementors

Recommend: Java graphics bulb2_icon.gif Wrap text on word boundaries, wrap words longer than one line on character boundaries, and honor white space.

Text is most readable if it breaks on word boundaries. app developers can use white space to improve readability; apps will be more usable if the device honors this white space.

Strongly Recommend: Java graphics bulb1_icon.gif Avoid clipping string items because the item content is likely to provide information that the user must see (as opposed to labels, which are typically less critical). If you must clip a string item due to device restrictions, indicate to the user that it has been shortened. A common way to indicate clipping is by using an ellipsis.



   
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