[Tutor] Query about using Pmw entry widget...

[Alan Gauld]

"Asrarahmed Kadri" <ajkadri at googlemail.com> wrote

> The dialog box, what I think is better than a 'visual warning' ; 
> because it
> forces the user to correct the input error that he has made. A 
> visual
> warning might be omitted by the user.

I disagree. A dialog box in this situation has two bad effects:

1) It forces the users attention away from where the error occurs
(ie in the entry box) and in an extreme case could even hide the
error by popping up on top of the box beintg edited!

2) It is not specific enough - the dialog could be from another
application in the background or about some other error
- a network lost for example. You have to read it to interpret
it. Whereas if the entry box you are typing into beeps and
goes red, say, it is obvious where the error is and it's very
easy to fix.

As to forcing the user to correct the error a doalog is no
better than a coloured entry widget since the user can just
OK it and carry on filling I the other fields. In that situation
you have to do a submit time check on the fields too or else
refuse to allow access to any other field while the error
persists.

Designing a good UI is frought with difficulty.

Alan G.