You may want to define function and control keys in Microsoft Windows (function, control, and arrow keys in UNIX and VMX) to the FRS for use in user-designed applications or to customize your keyboard for use with the Ingres forms-based tools. FRS is a built-in screen management system for all forms-based tools, as well as for custom applications that use forms.

When designing custom applications, the actual keystrokes that you employ to perform various functions can differ from those used with the Ingres forms-based tools. If you want to maintain consistency with key definitions in these forms-based tools, you can use Ingres conventions when programming menu items, cursor movement, and other operations performed by users.

You also may want to define keys to the FRS to customize the end user's environment while the user is running either forms-based tools or specialized Ingres applications. Ordinarily, such customizing is implemented by the application developer, rather than by end users of applications.

Use mapping files to map menu item operations, cursor movement, and all other operations, to function or control keys, and (in UNIX and VMS) arrow keys on your keyboard. Once the mapping has been specified, you or the end user can execute the operation by pressing the specified key. If the keyboards at your installation do not support function keys, you can still map operations to control keys or (in UNIX and VMS) arrow keys. The end user can enter a control character to execute the operation.