8. Standard navigation
The MyContexts application has just two screen layouts, in a way. The first is the login page; the second is the page that shows a standard toolbar at the top (some tools always appear on that bar; others are state-dependent). The second page shows, below the toolbar, either a form that gives access to the properties of a role, or to the roles of a context. We call the former a role form and the latter a context form.
Both forms are either generated automatically from a model, or custom built. Here we discuss generated forms only, as screens built by hand for a particular model are under control of their (independent) authors.
Forms are mostly built from standard controls such as text fields and radio buttons. We try to adhere to standard ways to navigate those controls with the keyboard. To name the most important tools:
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Controls (such as fields) are in a specific order on a page. Use the
tabkey to move from one control to the next in that order. -
Use the combination of
shiftandtabto move through the order in the reverse direction. -
A page’s horizontal tabs are controls like any other. Use the
tabkey to move from one to the next. -
Use the arrow keys to move through text in a text control.
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Use the arrow keys to move through options listed as radio buttons, or through the tabs of a page.
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To select or deselect an option (or tab), use the
shiftorenterkeys.