If possible, use the VIEW-AS phrase with the DEFINE VARIABLE statement instead of with screen I/O statements. The VIEW-AS phrase describes how a field or variable is represented on the screen. You can use the VIEW-AS phrase as a modifier to the DEFINE VARIABLE statement or as a modifier to a screen I/O statement, such as DISPLAY.
With the DEFINE VARIABLE statement, the VIEW-AS phrase specifies the default type of widget for the variable being defined. Use the VIEW-AS phrase when defining a variable so that code that manipulates the variable, such as an UPDATE statement, does not have to specify the representation. This helps you isolate your user-interface code.
For more information on the VIEW-AS phrase, see OpenEdge Development: ABL Reference.
