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In Chapter 1, I introduced you to some of the controls that you will commonly use in data entry forms. Because data entry and validation go hand in hand, I also introduced you to some fairly simple data validation techniques. Of course, because no self-respecting chapter on data entry controls would be seen without examples, I included a few to whet your appetite. Though some of these examples included hints for designing screens, I did not intend to really go into that subject at the time.
This chapter covers user interface (UI) design with an eye toward data entry. Now you may think that what you saw as examples in Chapter 1 was enough to get you started on designing data input screens. You would be incorrect—it is not nearly enough. I cover the following topics in this chapter:
Using the integrated development environment (IDE) to make UI design easier
Deciding what controls to use and when
Using OLE custom controls (OCXs) in .NET programs
Presenting egregious examples of data entry screens
Employing current field–based data entry screen design
Using the menu system and toolbar
Navigating fields
Understanding ambient properties
Adjusting screen resolution and resizing screens
As I write this list I can think of about 80 other things to add. As I come across them, I will mention other topics as well. First things first, however: Let's start with what the user sees.
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