A form can be launched in MDI mode from the user interface with the Database Explorer and main toolbar, or by using the R:BASE command syntax at the R> Prompt and within a command file/application.
When running a form within the user interface, an initial dialog will launch with several options including an "MDI" check box. If the MDI setting is set to ON, a check will already be placed in the box when the dialog opens.
When MDI is checked, the form will be displayed as a modeless form. The form will appear in the center of the screen and look just as if the form was launched without MDI, but the difference is you will be able to continue accessing menus in R:BASE without having to close the form. If you click outside of the form and use other aspects of R:BASE, the form will be located behind the R:BASE program window. The focus can be returned to the MDI form by selecting "Window" > "MDI Windows" > "Forms" > "Form Name:" from the main menu bar. Or, the R:BASE program window can be normalized and moved aside to see the form.
Using the R:BASE command syntax, a modeless form can be launched with the BROWSE USING, EDIT USING, and ENTER commands. Each command supports an MDI parameter to specify if the form is to be opened as a modeless form. In addition to MDI, the AS ALIAS parameter is available in the syntax to specify an alias name for the instance of the MDI form. An alias name is available so that the form can be programmatically specified with the SETFOCUS command within the application.
