Chapter 17
File Selection
Overview
Many times throughout a Communique! conference you are prompted to save information to a file and select information from disk. In both instances you will be prompted with a File Selection Dialog Box. Understanding how this dialog operates and how it may be used can help you best use Communique!.
This chapter talks about
- how to use common components found in every File Selection Dialog Box
- where to find information about specific elements unique to some File Selection Dialog Boxes
Using the File Selection Dialog Box
The Directory Mask or Filter
This text area displays a directory mask used in determining which files to list in the Files list. A couple of guidelines for creating a good directory mask are:
- use a fully qualified directory path starting with the root (/) file system
- when loading files, use an asterisk (*) wildcard at the end of the mask to match all files in a listed directory
List of Directories
The directories list is a navigational aid for moving through the file system. The list contains any subdirectories present in the directory matched by the Filter. Additionally, the parent directory (..) is also shown.
Double-clicking a subdirectory appends it to the Filter’s directory path, while double-clicking the parent directory appropriately removes the current directory from the Filter.
List of Files
The Files list presents every file in the specified directory matching the specified file mask. If no files are listed either none are present or a mask was not specified in the Filter.
If you are attempting to load a file and it does not appear in the Files list:
1. Check that the Filter’s mask matches the file’s name.
2. If the mask is correct, check the directory path.
The Selection
The Selection text box contains the currently selected directory path and file name.
To load a file:
1. Navigate to the correct directory
2. Either append the file’s name to the listed directory path or double-click the file in the Files list.
3. Click OK.
By typing a fully qualified path, you can immediately load a file without having to use the Subdirectories or Files lists.
You save a file in much the same manner:
1. Choose a directory for saving the file by either clicking through the Subdirectories list or typing it in the Selection field directly.
2. With a directory chosen, append a unique filename to the Selection field.
3. Click OK.
Buttons
OK—confirms your file selection for either loading or saving a file.
Filter—forces an update to both the Subdirectories and Files lists according to the specified Filter
Cancel—stops the current operation, whether loading or saving
Help—brings up specific information for your assistance
Unique Elements
Plugins may have additional elements added to the File Selector appropriate for the application. These specific elements are explained in the Plugin’s documentation.
One example of a Plugin with unique File Selector elements is the Whiteboard, covered in Chapter 8, with its file type filter.